Michael Jennings to become a CHOOK

[chook 56]

Didnt we need just need it to be $250k so that it makes up the difference for our offer ?

And wasnt the Titans the same as well ? I dont think it was $350k but I could be wrong

That was my understanding, as well.

[The Brain]

That was my understanding, as well.

Who was the mystery guest at training lately?

[Thirteen]

It was Bird for 4 more years.

Stuart misses his man again

[John Corey]

Originally Posted by John Corey

Hey mate, did u see him there, or were u told by a friend etc?
A player told me.







Cheers, 13.

[John Corey]

Well there is some progress, Gus has upped the pay out to $250,000, another $100,000 and Jenko will walk.

Is that from the media ELO?

[rooster_booster]

THE Titans' big-money play for Michael Jennings looks to be over before it really began, with representatives of the star centre revealing they have no interest in meeting Gold Coast officials regarding a possible move.

Jennings's future at Penrith has been the source of constant speculation for much of the past 12 months with the latest raft of rumours reportedly tied into Panthers boss Phil Gould's desire to lure champion Cowboys halfback Johnathan Thurston to the foot of the Blue Mountains next season.

Complicating any move is the fact Jennings's manager, Isaac Moses, has had his NRL licence temporarily suspended, meaning Moses's cousin Stephen will oversee negotiations.

Moses is holidaying with his family on the Gold Coast, but contrary to reports in the media yesterday, insisted no one in Jennings's camp had met or planned to meet the Titans.

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That news will come as a bitter blow to the Titans camp after they released centre Beau Champion to return to South Sydney just one season into his three-year contract with Gold Coast.

The Australian understands Jennings is committed to seeing out his deal with the Panthers and has no desire to leave the area in which he was born, raised and has played his entire career.

His position is being made difficult by an apparent feud with Gould - the Penrith supremo so keen to remove Jennings's multi-million-dollar contract from the Panthers' books that he advised the young flyer he did not have to return to training with the rest of the squad after the recent Christmas-New Year break.

With Jennings gone, the Panthers would be primed to tempt Thurston with a proverbial "Godfather offer" to relocate from his base in Townsville with North Queensland.

Cowboys football manager Peter Parr said the Cowboys were aware of Gould's interest in trying to lure Thurston south, but remained hopeful the champion halfback would recommit to the club.

"We are aware that Penrith have sounded out Johnathan - we have been aware of that for some time," Parr said.

"When a player of Johnathan's quality is coming off-contract, you would expect other clubs to express an interest and JT and his manager (Sam Ayoub) made it clear to us from the outset that with this deal they were keen to go through a process of seeing what was available on the open market.

"We are comfortable with that, it is every player's right to do that. JT has been really open and the discussions we have had to this point have been positive. Obviously no one here is getting ahead of themselves but we are quietly confident JT will stay."

Given Thurston turns 30 this year, the deal could well be the last for the North Queensland co-captain.

With that in mind, Parr said it was understandable the former Golden Boot winner would look to secure the best deal he could for his future.

Still, Parr said he was hopeful a decision would be made before the 2013 season kicks off.

"We have been really conscious of not putting too much pressure on him," Parr said.

"His manager has been away on a break, but he is back on deck next Monday and we are planning to speak to him and hopefully get things rolling.

"We aren't putting a timeframe on when a decision needs to be made but certainly you'd like to think we will have something settled before the start of the season."

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...Ghh6YM.twitter

[elo]

People need to understand what Gus is offering Jennings is not a bump up of a contract from any new club he is to go to, it is a one time immediate pay out. The problem with this is if Jennings takes this option he will be taking a substantial hit to his salary in season 2 and 3 of our deal as he would make between $700,000 and $800,000/season by staying at Penrith whilst only $500,000/season if he makes the move to our club.

The move is in Gus' hands, a $50,000 increase to the pay out last night shows progress but it's not going to get it across the line.

[Rooster_6]

I come to this forum to try and communicate the Jennings saga and I just get insults thrown at my club and false comments regarding the CEO?

lol, okay.

Legitimate questions for you.

1) Are Titans fans happy with the way management have set up the cap, you've got a group of blokes (Idris, Bird, Douglas, Harrison, Taylor, Myles & now potentially Jennings) all earning top contracts and it's resulted in having really poor depth which is crucial if you're going to achieve anything in an NRL season. You really need a squad of 25-30 good players to compete for the full 26 rounds. To me it just seems like a really poor template especially considering none of those players can fill positions in the spine.

2) Which leads me to my second question, you've probably got one of the worst spines in the comp. Why does there seem to be such a reluctance from the club to acknowledge this and then address it. I feel for Sezer, the kid has potential but trying being the primary playmaker in a position that doesn't suit him could ruin his career (assuming he does play halfback this year). Srama is also classy and I think he's got a big future ahead of him but really the other halves options and fullback options are mediocre at best.

I really want to see the Titans succeed but imo the ignorance from blokes like May who think this is a top 8 squad is going to hold them back, the squad is way too forward heavy and doesn't even have a first grade recognised organiser or play maker.

[Chris]

Been told by two different people this morning that he has signed. Not sure if either of them are reliable sources - but I guess we will find out.

[Guest]

^^ Same here mate, but guess we have to wait until it's offically announced. I think if it was official why didn't they announce it with Mini as a second news update.

[Thirteen]

^^ Same here mate, but guess we have to wait until it's offically announced. I think if it was official why didn't they announce it with Mini as a second news update.

1) they do not want to overshadow the news of Mini being named captain
2) the club will get more publicity by announcing MJ on a different date....And publicity is a good thing
3) nobody knows that MJ has even signed with us yet

[Guest]

Legitimate questions for you.

1) Are Titans fans happy with the way management have set up the cap, you've got a group of blokes (Idris, Bird, Douglas, Harrison, Taylor, Myles & now potentially Jennings) all earning top contracts and it's resulted in having really poor depth which is crucial if you're going to achieve anything in an NRL season. You really need a squad of 25-30 good players to compete for the full 26 rounds. To me it just seems like a really poor template especially considering none of those players can fill positions in the spine.

2) Which leads me to my second question, you've probably got one of the worst spines in the comp. Why does there seem to be such a reluctance from the club to acknowledge this and then address it. I feel for Sezer, the kid has potential but trying being the primary playmaker in a position that doesn't suit him could ruin his career (assuming he does play halfback this year). Srama is also classy and I think he's got a big future ahead of him but really the other halves options and fullback options are mediocre at best.

I really want to see the Titans succeed but imo the ignorance from blokes like May who think this is a top 8 squad is going to hold them back, the squad is way too forward heavy and doesn't even have a first grade recognised organiser or play maker.

All valid questions for the Titans forum.

[Guest]

1) they do not want to overshadow the news of Mini being named captain
2) the club will get more publicity by announcing MJ on a different date....And publicity is a good thing
3) nobody knows that MJ has even signed with us yet

My guess is Penrith and our club are now waiting on Schubert to study and give his aproval to the deal...

[Rooster_6]

My guess is Penrith and our club are now waiting on Schubert to study and give his aproval to the deal...

Be lucky if it's approved before the end of the season then.

[Guest]

Legitimate questions for you.

1) Are Titans fans happy with the way management have set up the cap, you've got a group of blokes (Idris, Bird, Douglas, Harrison, Taylor, Myles & now potentially Jennings) all earning top contracts and it's resulted in having really poor depth which is crucial if you're going to achieve anything in an NRL season. You really need a squad of 25-30 good players to compete for the full 26 rounds. To me it just seems like a really poor template especially considering none of those players can fill positions in the spine.

2) Which leads me to my second question, you've probably got one of the worst spines in the comp. Why does there seem to be such a reluctance from the club to acknowledge this and then address it. I feel for Sezer, the kid has potential but trying being the primary playmaker in a position that doesn't suit him could ruin his career (assuming he does play halfback this year). Srama is also classy and I think he's got a big future ahead of him but really the other halves options and fullback options are mediocre at best.

I really want to see the Titans succeed but imo the ignorance from blokes like May who think this is a top 8 squad is going to hold them back, the squad is way too forward heavy and doesn't even have a first grade recognised organiser or play maker.

1) In short-no. The distribution of salaries and contract length (eg zillman for 5 years) is a reflection of Searle's influence on the club as well as Cartwrights approach to winning a premiership. Why he has been given another chance we are unsure. He has his favourites, and puts his faith in players which consistently fail to deliver and perseveres with them. One of the main problems is our youth development and considering there is such talent in the area (high school kids etc), it really is frustrating. Some of them get pinched sure, but it is these players which we need to put more effort into retaining and developing. Our under 20s was a shambles in 2012.

2) Yeah we really need to address halfback and fullback. Sezer should stay at 6 and I would imagine Albert Kelly will get the 7 jersey. Risky move I know and call it ignorance, but maybe some fresh direction is what we need after Prince's departure. We will have a first grade recognised playmaker come 2014 in Aidan Sezer.
You're right about Srama, he has a bright future and hopefully will be at the club long term.
Fullback is the position we're struggling with. IMO Zillman needs to go...oh thats right, he was signed for 5 ****ing years. We have youthful options which need to be given a shot asap because Zillman just isn't what a first grade fullback needs to be. Marmin Barba, Matty Russell, David Mead or Mark O'dare will all be putting pressure on Zillman this year and I see him losing the spot tbh.

2013 will be a rebuilding year, a "trial" year if you will. With new playmakers and plenty of youth in key positions we should at least be able to play some entertaining footy-something we couldn't do in 2012.