The Titans cannot catch a break. From Daly Cherry-Evans to James Roberts, the drugs saga to Kane Elgey, every time they get their prep sorted there is always something to derail their progress.

This time, it’s the pending takeover from a club more than 1000 kilometres to the south, in the heart of NSWRL territory.

As if the Titans and former Gold Coast teams hadn’t already split their fans between the Tweed, this would make the Titans more hated in Queensland – and probably in NSW.

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So with this takeover hitting full swing in the media, Titans fans screaming foul. With Bears fans believing they have a chance, let’s just analyse the idea.

Here’s why the idea is such a bad one.

1. The Bears have dead for nearly 20 years

By now, any supporters will have either moved on or just don’t care any more. If the Bears model was as good as they say, they would have been added into expansion earlier, and wouldn’t be fighting for expansion today.

2. There are too many NSW teams and not enough teams elsewhere

Here’s a great idea. Set the Bears up in Adelaide or Perth, or merge them with Newcastle, who are also owned by the NRL and are in no higher position then the Titans in terms of finances and on-field performance.

The NRL already has roughly two too many teams in NSW, and probably needs another one or two in Queensland.

The NRL has already set up the Gold Coast as a one-town team, and even splitting the team between the Gold and Central Coasts would destroy any identity league on the Gold Coast has.



3. The Gold Coast needs it own identity

Removing the Titans logo and colours is a terrible idea. Even the Gold Coast Bears screams NSW. The Red and Black design is outdated and ultimately the already poor crowds the Titans pull in wouldn’t be interested to watch their shell of a team play every four weeks.

It would take little over a year before the Bears completely overrun the GC and the NRL would most likely move them to Gosford.

4. The Titans already have a strong following

Contrary to popular belief, the Titans actually have a supporter base. The Titans actually have a large majority of fans who have never supported a GC team in their life and have migrated from other clubs to support the Titans.

These fans aren’t happy, and anyone else who enjoys league shouldn’t be happy either.

5. It is only cementing the NSW feel of the NRL

Plenty of fans complain about it but no one at NRL HQ listens. The buying out of the Titans would be a slap in the face for other teams located outside of NSW and Queensland who have more than a right to an expansion spot than the Bears.

The Bears are dead. Greg Florimo is kidding himself if he thinks a takeover would save them, and the NRL are deluded if they allow this to happen. My suggestion is that the Bears wait the four years until the NRL announces all teams are financially stable and then put in a bid.