Jun 10th, 2019

Jun 10th, 2019

Long before the Titans launched their mid-season review into Garth Brennan, players were going behind his back complaining about his methods to the club’s head of performance and culture, Mal Meninga.

In a worrying sign, players are failing to take responsibility for their own poor form and blaming Brennan for another troubled season on the glitter strip.

Brennan is the coach under most pressure in the NRL at the moment, with the review likely to decide whether he keeps his job.

Titans coach Garth Brennan. (AAP)

The win over the Broncos last weekend will buy him more time, but the Titans remain in the bottom four and at long odds to make the finals.

But the players - always looking for an easy excuse - are blaming the coach for the team’s lack of success.

Queensland coach Kevvie Walters is waiting in the wings should the club continue to falter.

Queensland coach Kevin Walters. (AAP)

PONGA'S DAD TAKES CHARGE

Kalyn Ponga is set to keep it in the family, with his father Andre to take over the role as the youngster’s manager.

Ponga is the hottest property in the game and was being chased by many of the game’s leading player managers in recent months.

But in the end, Ponga decided to go with his dad, a Kiwi who moved to Western Australian before Kalyn’s birth and played rugby union there.

Ponga is on a huge contract for a 21-year-old but can potentially make far greater money with third party sponsorship deals, with big companies fighting to get a piece of the Knights superstar.

Kalyn Ponga in Origin I. (AAP)

SQUAD REWARD FOR BRONCOS ROOKIE

The Broncos are set to reward boom rookie Xavier Coates for his man-of-the-match performance in the under-18 State of Origin with a place in their full-time squad next season.

Centre/winger Coates was a standout in the junior game, scoring a try and setting up several others in the Maroons’ 34-12 win.

The Broncos have signed Coates on a three-year deal and blooded the 18-year-old in a top grade trial against Souths Logan in February, where he looked right at home.

The teenager is playing in the Queensland Cup against grown men for Tweed Heads and looks to have a huge future in the game.

Broncos rookie Xavier Coates. (AAP)

FARAH'S TIME AT TIGERS OVER

The Tigers are likely to release favourite son Robbie Farah at year’s end after signing another member of Queensland’s winning team, hooker Jake Simpkin.

Farah, a club legend, wants to wait until the end of the season to make any call on his future, and at 35 is still playing decent football.

But Simpkin is regarded as one of the most promising dummyhalves in the NRL and is set to be thrown into the hooking hot set along with Jacob Liddle.

Liddle is off contract but expected to remain with the Tigers.