2008 here we come!

The Jetstar Titans are shaping up for an even bigger, better year

WORDS JASON SINTOME

Star recruit

 

Ashley Harrison, at only 25 years of age, has achieved more than most rugby league players ever do, with a premiership and State of Origin experience already carved into his resume. But “Harro” has much more that he wants to do.

For the next three years, Harrison will call the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans home. It’s great news for the young player who already owns an apartment on Currumbin’s tourist strip which enables him to stay near family and friends in Queensland.

With his future now secured, Harrison is looking forward to knuckling down with his new team-mates and preparing for the 2008 premiership race, which starts with an all Queensland derby between the Jetstar Titans and the North Queensland Cowboys at Skilled Park, the Gold Coasters’ new AU$160m home.

Brenton “catch-me-if-you-can”
Bowen“I’m really excited about joining the Jetstar Titans… for what promises to be a really exciting year of rugby league on the Gold Coast. For the Titans to show faith and give me two years on top of the next year was a big thing for me and I’m ready to repay them.”

For coach John Cartwright, the signing of Harrison has massive ramifications. “To be able to secure the services of a player of Ashley’s ability and quality at this late stage of the year is simply enormous. He’s a dedicated senior player who can play in a number of crucial positions and I am confident he’ll make a real difference to the club, both on and off the playing field.”

Ironically, Harrison was a player targeted by the Gold Coast club during planning for their inaugural season with his versatility making him an extremely valuable commodity.

After representing Australia as a junior Kangaroo in 1999, he made his first grade debut against the New Zealand Warriors in 2000 at the age of 18 and played one State of Origin match for Queensland in 2007.

Make sure you catch Harrison and his new Jetstar Titans team-mates at home and away when the National Rugby League (NRL) kicks off its centenary season in March 2008.

Bigger, faster, stronger

The Jetstar Gold Coast Titans 2008 squad is hoping that an injection of size and speed will propel them into the finals in their second year in the NRL.

Matt Cross will help the
team reach top gearA horror run of injuries cost the team their chance of making the playoffs with Michael Henderson, Brad Meyers and Richie Mathers lost from the squad with end-season injuries. Star players Anthony Laffranchi, Preston Campbell and Scott Prince also missed crucial matches through the season with many critics commenting that the Jetstar Titans struggled to match the premiership’s stronger sides.

To assist the Jetstar Titans with their speed and power, Cartwright has recruited former Parramatta prop Aaron Cannings and Penrith giant Matt Cross, while strength and conditioning coach Billy Johnstone and assistant Chris McLellan are working to build up the current group of forwards.

North Queensland flyer Brenton Bowen, Wests Tigers speedster Ben Jeffrey along with young excitement machine Shannon Walker – possibly the fastest man in the NRL – have been drafted into the squad to complement the Jetstar Titans’ new-found power. Add Chris Walker, currently recovering from ankle surgery, to the mix and the team are now blessed with a wealth of speed as they charge into the new season.

In Full Colour
Celebrate the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans’ inaugural year in the NRL Rugby League with a piece of history. The Year of the Titans 2007 has just hit the shops in time for the Christmas rush and is the perfect stocking filler for Jetstar Titans fans and sports lovers. It’s filled with interesting facts, great photographs and behind-the-scenes stories from the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans’ historic first year. AU$39.95; limited-edition, personally signed hardcover books at AU$199. To order your copy, log on to the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans website www.titans.com.au.

STAR PLAYER

We caught up with Anthony Laffranchi, star forward and winner of the Paul Broughton Medallion for best and fairest player in 2007.

How will you be spending Christmas?
My wife has been in Sydney for the past couple of months finishing a university degree, so I am looking forward to having her step off the Jetstar plane at Coolangatta with my son Oscar – that will be all the Christmas presents I need.

Are you looking forward to 2008?
I think it will be a great year for the club. We have some great new players on board and after spending a season together we are certainly a much tighter outfit. I think you will see big things from the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans in 2008, especially playing at Skilled Park.

What do you most want from Santa?
If I could get one thing from Santa this year, it would be a Sony PlayStation Portable, then I wouldn’t be the only player who doesn’t have one when we travel away. And a big bag of Peanut M&Ms.

Membership Renewal
A reminder to all Jetstar Titans members that the renewal process has begun! We look forward to sharing another exciting year of rugby league action with you. With next year’s games set to be held at the allnew Skilled Park, 2008 is going to be the Year of the Titans! Call the Titans’ hotline on +61 (7) 5581 0190 or email membersinfo@ titans.com.au.

Jetstar Titans radio

Make sure you tune into Jetstar Titans radio (channel 4 for domestic flights, channel 6 for international flights), it’s the official inflight station of the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans, taking listeners behind the scenes of Australia’s newest and most exciting National Rugby League club.

This month, hosts Jason Sintome and Paul Gale chat with former premiership winner and current football manager Scott Sattler and exciting young player Josh “smiling assassin” Graham.

Find out what makes them tick, listen to their favourite music and find out which team-mate they least like sitting next to on their weekly Jetstar flights.

GET THE LOOK

Show your colours by buying a Jetstar Titans jersey

Why not check out the great range of Jetstar Gold Coast Titans merchandise, like these official jerseys RRP AU$150 (adult mens only). To see the full range, and to purchase Jetstar Titans’ merchandise online, visit www.jetstar.com/titans
All prices are in Australian Dollars. Prices do not include postage and handling and are subject to change without notification.