Five high on Gold Coast Titans coach John Cartwright's halves list
BY: MARGIE MCDONALD From: The Australian November 02, 2012 12:00AM
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THE halfback Wests Tigers said they wanted to lock up from prying clubs, Jacob Miller, has been offered to the Gold Coast as a replacement for Scott Prince.
Less than 24 hours after Prince decided to leave the Titans and return to Brisbane because he could not get a contract extension, the Titans offloaded two more players - utility back Dominique Peyroux to the Warriors and forward Brenton Lawrence to Manly. Both players made their NRL debuts in 2011.
With pre-season training starting next week, Titans coach John Cartwright said he was relaxed with his halves situation as he had five young players to work with: Albert Kelly, Aidan Sezer, Jordan Rankin, Beau Henry and Matt Beddow.
Cartwright said he also had been inundated with approaches from player managers offering the services of quality halves.
It is understood Miller, along with Penrith goalkicking under-20s half Harry Siejka - both of whom have played four NRL games - and former Parramatta player Brad Murray, who was charged in the Ryan Tandy betting scandal case two years ago, have been offered to the Titans.
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Hunter Valley product Murray, who was cut loose from the Eels after Tandy affair, initially was banned from playing in the Newcastle district competition in March until his case cleared the courts. The ban was lifted in July because his case has been adjourned repeatedly and is still before the courts.
Cartwright is confident the Titans have the mix to fill the hole left by Prince.
Beddow is a Southport local who has been in the club's Toyota Cup side and, along with Rankin, played some Queensland Cup this year for Burleigh.
"If we had to, we could throw Birdy (Greg Bird) in there," Cartwright said. "He's got plenty of experience, and Aidan has been a halfback all his life, although he's predominantly played five-eighth since he came to us. So there's some genuine talent within our group at the moment."
He said he was not closing his mind to others but had salary-cap limitations. "We'll keep our eyes open because there's some good young halves around who aren't playing first grade."
Miller fits into that category since he topped the under-20s with kicks in play and was in the top three in try assists for 2012\. He was in the sights of Hull while the English club was chasing Prince for a three-year deal.
Kelly played solidly alongside Wade Graham at the Sharks before alcohol incidents ended his time in the Shire.
"He's got all the skills and, although he's had some issues, he wants to put that in the past. He's been training hard in the gym already and looks fit and sharp," Cartwright said. "I'll admit we haven't got a lot of experience there (in halves) but certainly we've got guys with plenty of ability."
Prince starts pre-season training with Brisbane on Monday and could meet his old club as soon as February.
The Titans will play three trial games against the Warriors, North Queensland and the Broncos.