HOW THE TITANS NETTED THEIR REPLACEMENT FOR HAYNE
How Hayne Plane’s turbulent Titans exit cleared the flight path for ‘Tweed kid’ to make a move
MICHAEL Gordon sensed the opportunity and ran with it.
It’s a display of initiative that could see the Tweed product seal a dream finish to his NRL career back on the Gold Coast.
The Bulletin can reveal the 34-year-old directly contacted Titans coach Garth Brennan about a chance to don a Titans jersey in 2018 following the well-documented departure of marquee fullback Jarryd Hayne to Parramatta last week. Gordon has started 129 of his 225 NRL matches at full- back but was set to battle it out for a spot on the Roosters wing next year with recruited NSW Origin ace James Tedesco claiming the Bondi club’s No.1 jersey.
It could have marked a stuttering end to a respected career but now he may find himself back in the hot seat.
The Titans are without an established NRL fullback and are prepared to give the veteran a two-year deal as opposed to his single season Roosters contract.
“His management and Michael actually touched base with me personally after the Jarryd Hayne thing happened,” Brennan told the Bulletin.
“I believe Michael Gordon has a home he has recently purchased up here at Tweed Heads where he intends to finish up when he finishes his football career.
“He touched base with me and asked if there was any prospect of something opening up here for the Gold Coast Titans.
“I basically said to him he needs to speak to the Roosters and see what their position is which I think he met with (Sydney coach) Trent Robinson and did.
“So basically we are considering it but nothing has been done … we’re just assessing our position in relation to it at the moment.”
As well as a reliable fullback option, Gordon as a former Origin player would bring valuable experience to a young squad – and, importantly, is a top-quality goal-kicking option.
The Titans had the worst goal-kicking percentage of any NRL club in 2017.
Gordon played for the Tweed Coast Raiders before graduating to Queensland Cup side Tweed Heads Seagulls.
He last year made public his promise to his former Raiders teammates that he would one day return to play for the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League club.
Since making his first grade debut in 2006, Gordon has played for Penrith, Cronulla, Parramatta and Sydney.