Throughout the history of Rugby League there are is a history of dud recruiting from every club.
The Gold Coast Titans recently recruited David Fifita from the Brisbane Broncos on a $3.5M three-year-deal, who now faces pressure to live up to the hype of his price tag.
We've taken a look at the top 10 signings for the Gold Coast Titans that, at least in the eyes of fans, failed to provide the club with return on investment.
So strap yourself in as we count down the top 10 dud signings in the history of the Gold Coast Titans.
6. Ritchie Mathers
Ritchie Mathers, a former England International had a distinguished career compiling a total of 272 matches. Out of that only six were for the Gold Coast Titans when he came to the club during their inaugural season in 2007.
He was seen as a backup fullback for the club's inaugural signing in Preston Campbell, and it was an injury to the little fullback that saw Mathers make his debut for the club and feature in five matches for the Titans.
Unfortunately, he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in his right need, putting an end to his season at a time he was starting to look comfortable and rising to the level of the NRL.
His Gold Coast Titans teammates rallied to offer to pay for airfare for Ritchie Mathers to return home to England prior to starting the long journey back to health. It was during this time the Gold Coast Titans had released him from the remainder of his contract, hours later Wigan confirmed they had signed him for the next three seasons.
I kept looking for two particular names on your list of dud buys by the Gold Coast.
Number two dud buy was: Leilani Latu . A star forward at Penrith, permanent first grader there. Number one dud buy was: Bryce Cartwright. Star first grader at Penrith in the forwards , or at 5/8th.
Both failed miserably at the Gold Coast.
So sorry THEPEOPLESDUDE. Youโre just wrong.
I think Bryce was left out as a past dud signing because the signing of Bryce by Parra will eclipse all dud signings in the history of footy.
This article easily makes the “Top 10 Dud Zero Tackle Articles”.
No mention of Leilani Latu? Jarryd Hayne? Bryce Cartwright? Shannon Boyd? All signed on big money, all failed to deliver, all dud signings.
Poor form from THEPEOPLESDUDE, back to the drawing board and watch some more footy.
Bat Eater – the difference with Parra signing Bryce is they are signing him on a minimum wage (or close to) contract of something around $100K as opposed to the $500K that the Titans signed him on.
There is a fairly decent gap in a clubs expectations of a player on $100K compared to one on $500K.
Yes Beastie.
Main reason I had Latu at 2 & Bryce Cartwright at 1, as the Gold Coasts worst buys. I think Latu was on at least $400,000 a season & Cartwright $700,000 a season, at the Gold Coast.
Amazing that the club just got rid of both players, without being stuck with paying them money out of future salary caps. Unbelievable really! I think brown paper bags were handed over by the Gold Coast sponsors.
No mention of Leilani Latu? Jarryd Hayne? Bryce Cartwright? Shannon Boyd? All signed on big money, all failed to deliver, all dud signings.