Usually an injury crisis would worry Gold Coast Titans coach John Cartwright.
But the Titans’ well documented off-field problems have put things in perspective for the poker-faced mentor.
Cartwright would have every right to be concerned after prized signing Beau Champion (ankle) and forward Matt White (tonsillitis) were ruled out of Friday night’s NRL clash with the Dragons, with a question mark hovering over William Zillman (hamstring).
Especially after his trump card Greg Bird (pectoral) had already been placed on ice for a game that may yet set them up for a top-eight tilt.
However, nothing seems to faze Cartwright these days after enduring some dark days at the Titans – days that finally appear to over.
This week Titans boss Michael Searle told the ARL Commission that he had found three investors who could cover the club’s estimated $4 million debt.
To boot, the Gold Coast announced a new naming rights sponsor for the next four years.
Steeled by months of uncertainty swirling around the club, Cartwright backed his depleted side to stake a finals claim in Wollongong as they soaked up the welcome good news.
“That’s a box we can tick off now. It’s out of the way. It was a major thing but it is done now – that will help us move forward for sure,” he said on Thursday.
Not that the 10th-placed Titans had been struggling on the field – they have turned around their horror 1-5 season start by winning four of their last five games to be in sight of the top eight.
Another victory ahead of next round’s bye will help their finals push take shape – but Cartwright was not about to start patting backs just yet.
“I am very happy for them. I can sit here and talk until I am blue in the face about how hard they have worked,” he said.
“But we are nowhere near where we want to be. If we are talking about the same thing in 10 weeks’ time we will be extremely happy.
“We are just two losses away from being told we are in a slump again.
“We are in a position where we can launch. It’s up to us now if we do.”
Steve Michaels – set to notch game No.100 – will replace Champion in the centres while backs Dominic Peyroux and Phil Graham were brought into the squad to cover the injury concerns.
Graham is on standby for fullback Zillman while White has been cut after spending the last two days in hospital on antibiotics.