GOLD Coast coach Garth Brennan has revealed the strategy he’ll employ to replace outgoing superstar Jarryd Hayne.

The Titans confirmed Hayne’s exit at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, and he’s expected to sign a deal with Parramatta in the coming days or weeks.

But his release leaves a gaping hole in the side that rookie coach Brennan must now fill.

He says he’s not going to rush out and spend cash on a player merely for the sake of it.

Round 20

He plans to look locally first to see if he can unearth a good young fullback. But if he can’t find one, he has plenty of cash at his disposal to spend on a possible marquee signing.

“It depends on what’s out there ... we’re not going to rush panicking, a panic signing to fill Jarryd’s space just for the sake of filling it,” Brennan said.

“I said all along our strategy is going to be very selective, we’re going to make sure we bring the right people in, and if there’s a marquee out there that ticks the boxes then absolutely, we’re in a position we can speak to them.

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Jarryd Hayne of Fiji at the World Cup. Source: Getty Images

“I think the roster is in really good shape. I’ve said all along Jarryd is one of 33 players we’ve got here at the moment ... yeah he’s an exceptional talent, but I’m excited about the other guys we’ve got within the squad.

“I want to look within the Gold Coast area locally ... there might be an 18-year-old superstar fullback on our doorstep and if I go and sign another marquee fullback we sort of block that kid’s pathway.

“I want to sit down and make sure what the lay of the land is within the Gold Coast area, within our own squad, make sure we’re selective on who we bring in and make sure we bring the right people into the club.”

I wish the @GCTitans the best for 2018, and I look forward to the future. pic.twitter.com/lfO5AqvHOn — jarryd hayne (@JarrydHayne) November 30, 2017

As to who wears the No. 1 jumper in 2018, Brennan admits he has no idea.

But he threw out the names Phillip Sami, Tyrone Roberts-Davis, Dan Sarginson, and Brendan Elliott as candidates for the fullback position.

“There’s guys in that roster that are more than capable of doing a job for me at fullback,” he said.

“Will they do it as good as Jarryd? We don’t know yet.”

Brennan also isn’t confined to spending the Hayne cash on a replacement fullback.

With the retirement of Brenton Lawrence this week, the Titans may also look to bolster their forward stocks with the spare money they suddenly find themselves with.

Brennan sounds more inclined to spend money on young players he believes can lead the club into the future.

“We’ve got some good young kids in our squad that I’m excited to work with. In saying that we have a lot of money available if the right person becomes available to strengthen our squad even more,” he said.

“That’s what it’s about, bringing someone in who is going to strengthen our squad ... I’m looking beyond 2018, I’m looking at 2019, 2020, and 10 years down the track what position the Titans are going to be in.

“Any decision I make won’t be about 2018, it will be about 2018 and beyond.”