A GIANT FOR THE TITANS

UNLIKE some of our most high-profile sporting signings, NRL administrator Graham Annesley leaves with his head held high. He calls the Gold Coast home. He will be welcomed back.

Titans executive chairman Dennis Watt, on behalf of club owners Brett and Rebecca Frizelle and Darryl and Joanne Kelly, yesterday spoke of Annesley as a “strong and courageous leader” in his five years as CEO at the Coast NRL club.

When Watt and the Frizelles left a media conference with Annesley – he is returning to a senior NRL post in Sydney – the strong friendships were obvious as they shared a joke. They have formed a strong management team, forged through the tough times. How different the Coast presents its front door to the Broncos in Brisbane, which is a club divided.

A respected NSW politician and referee, Annesley arrived in 2013 to find a club at risk of folding. His belief was the Coast remained a fertile breeding ground for rugby league.

He ensured the club was transparent about its affairs. After casting an eye across the club’s books, he contacted the NRL’s integrity unit.

Foundation coach John Cartwright left, no doubt miserable at the lost opportunities. Owner Michael Searle left for America.

High-profile players such as Dave Taylor left after a cocaine scandal. Manly’s Daly Cherry Evans left before playing a game, after turning his back on the club’s most lucrative contract. Jarryd Hayne took the money but never really left Parramatta.

Meanwhile, Annesley continued to toil, day and night. His legacy will see the club possibly break even financially next year, and in the playing arena the team might even sneak into the top eight.

The focus on Saturday’s final home game at Cbus Stadium will be the farewell for Johnathan Thurston as the Coast hosts the Cowboys.

True Titans fans will be quietly applauding Annesley, for keeping the Gold Coast footy dream alive.