NRL’s Titans sign Shillington

Finally, Gold Coast can toast some recruitment success after signing ex-Test forward David Shillington on a two-year deal.

But there is speculation more names may come and go at the Titans ahead of the 2016 NRL season.

Still reeling from Daly Cherry-Evans’ backflip, the Titans finally got their man when they recruited in-form Canberra giant Shillington for the 2016-17 seasons.

The 32-year-old will add much needed bulk to a Titans pack that will be without captain Nate Myles (Manly) next year.

And there is speculation that Gold Coast forward Greg Bird may link with the Raiders next year in what looms as a straight swap for Shillington.

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has confirmed he met with Bird – technically contracted with Gold Coast until the end of 2017 – in Melbourne before Origin II.

Stuart has a strong friendship with Bird after coaching the forward at Cronulla, NSW and Australia.

Then there’s the Titans’ halves dilemma.

Gold Coast are still on the hunt for a playmaker in the wake of the Cherry-Evans reversal.

Bulldogs halfback Trent Hodkinson looms as a likely target while controversial France-based playmaker Todd Carney was this week again linked to an NRL return at the Gold Coast.

In the meantime Titans coach Neil Henry is contemplating injecting arguably the NRL’s fastest man – centre James Roberts – into the halves to provide some spark in Sunday’s NRL clash with Sydney Roosters.

Roberts, who has scored 14 tries in as many matches this year, is expected to move to halfback while incumbent No.7 Daniel Mortimer shares hooker duties.

For now, the Titans are toasting the signature of Shillington.

“David has a wealth of experience at NRL, Origin and Test level and at 194cm and 112kg brings us size and power,” Henry said of Shillington, a veteran of eight State of Origins for Queensland and 14 Tests for Australia.

“He has consistently been one of the Raiders’ best metre-gainers over the past few seasons at over 120m a game and has a good work-rate and ethic and can play a key role around some of the young forwards here.”

Shillington has just celebrated the birth of his second child and will relocate to Queensland next year where he and his wife have family.

Shillington has been at Canberra since 2009 after a previous stint at Sydney Roosters (2005-08).

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