Titans board set to discuss ‘next steps’

The future of Gold Coast players stood down by the NRL club over alleged cocaine offences will be discussed by the Titans’ board on Wednesday.

Titans chief executive Graham Annesley confirmed early on Wednesday the board would meet to discuss what to do with Greg Bird, Dave Taylor, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Beau Falloon and Jamie Dowling.

All five were stood down by the club last month after being served notices to appear in court on a variety of possession and supply charges.

Falloon and Dowling faced court last week while State of Origin stars Bird and Taylor as well as Faifai Loa all indicated they would plead not guilty during brief appearances on Monday.

Lawyers for the five as well as representatives from the Rugby League Player’s Association have put their case forward for having the players reinstated by the club.

Annesley said nothing had been decided as yet.

“The board are going to have a discussion about that today,” he told Brisbane’s Grill Team on Triple M radio.

“The board have been given some material that they have been considering for the last 24 hours or so and they’ll catch up today and determine what the next steps are.”

Titans coach Neil Henry has indicated he’ll pick some of the players for Saturday’s round-two clash against Penrith if they’re restored to first-team duties in time.

The team leaves for Bathurst on Thursday.

Annesley has also distanced the club from reports suggesting Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans could be granted an early release by the Sea Eagles to join the Titans this season.

Cherry-Evans has signed a four-year deal with the Titans from 2016 onwards.

“I don’t know where those reports are coming from. No one from Manly has contacted me,” Annesley said.

“Anything along those lines would have to be generated by the Manly club and at this stage I’ve heard nothing so it’s just pure speculation from my point of view.”

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!