Tyrone Roberts’ NRL season is over but his tenure is set to be extended on the Gold Coast with a new, albeit belated contract in the works.
Roberts will miss Saturday’s final-round clash with Sydney Roosters because of a shoulder injury and is currently without a club in 2018.
He should have his immediate future sorted soon, Titans boss Graham Annesley confident of finalising the deal before players begin their off-season break.
The versatile playmaker has arguably been among the Titans’ best this season despite chopping and changing positions on an almost a weekly basis in a squad beset by injury.
Roberts has spent time at hooker, centre, fullback, in the halves and off the bench this season.
But he was at his best alongside good mate Ashley Taylor at No.6, until being curiously shifted to the bench to accommodate a fit-again Kane Elgey at the back end of the season.
That shift corresponded with the Titans’ poor run of form and subsequent sacking of head coach Neil Henry.
The 26-year-old knocked back a deal to remain at the club earlier this season, unhappy with the offer and his inability to call one spot his own.
English Super League outfit Warrington and NRL rivals Wests Tigers were both touted as options, while Brisbane were also a possible destination for the former Newcastle talent.
Having fought his way back into the starting side until injury hit, Roberts told NRL.com earlier this week that he would put aside any frustrations and ink a new deal to remain on the Gold Coast.
Titans chief executive Graham Annesley said it was something for the Titans to smile about.
“To have a player like Tyrone wanting to stay is good for the club,” he said.
“We’re still in discussions with his manager, but hopefully we get an outcome soon.”
Jamal Fogarty will start on the bench in Roberts’ absence on Saturday, with Elgey wearing the No.6.
Keegan Hipgrave will become the 17th player to debut for the club and 34th to play for the Titans this season, when he does his best to live up to his reputation as the new Greg Bird.
“He seems like that short, stocky little angry man that Greg Bird was,” winger Anthony Don said of the Palm Beach Currumbin product.
“It’ll be great to play with him.”
