Copley not included for Titans

The Titans' bid to have new recruit Dale Copley take the field against the Eels on Friday night has been rejected with the NRL not deeming the club's injury crisis an exceptional circumstance that would warrant his inclusion.Under the new guidelines around the submission of teams in 2017 each club must name a 21-man squad on Tuesday from which the final 17 will come from, with any application for late changes at the discretion of head of football, Brian Canavan.Despite injury concerns the Titans named William Zillman, Dan Sarginson and Karl Lawton in their 21-man squad on Tuesday and the fact that Copley was not at that point a registered player has worked against them.Titans coach Neil Henry said on Thursday that despite being named on Tuesday Lawton's dislocated shoulder was expected to keep him out for a further three or four weeks which raises the question as to why he was named to play against Parramatta in the first place.An NRL spokesman said the Titans did not satisfy the circumstances required for an exemption to be granted."The new guidelines around team lists are designed to ensure there is certainty around who is named on a Tuesday and who runs out to play," the spokesman said."The Titans applied to include Dale Copley in their squad late on Wednesday night."Whilst we have some sympathy towards the Titans and their injury problems, in this case, Dale Copley was not a registered Titans player when the team lists were announced on Tuesday and the request was declined."‌Rnd 3: 8:05pm Fri 17 Mar 2017BUY TICKETSPREVIEW$2.45$1.58‌The Titans' application for a special exemption was the first by an NRL team under the new guidelines and the decision to deny it shows just how seriously the NRL is taking the integrity of the teams that are announced each Tuesday.Zillman took part in the captain's run on Thursday morning but Sarginson, Lawton, Paterika Vaivai and Eddy Pettybourne were all absent and coach Neil Henry was adamant that Sarginson was not in a position to take the field against Parramatta."'Sarge' (Sarginson) is struggling with that patella tendon problem," Henry said on Thursday morning."'Zilly' (Zillman) got through the whole training session (on Tuesday) so I would say that Sarge is going to be highly unlikely and Zilly will be playing."Prior to Copley taking to the training field at Parkwood for the first time with his new teammates on Thursday morning Henry spoke of what he will bring to the team over the next two years and his confidence that he would be allowed to debut for the club against Parramatta."We really are depleted in the outside backs and his contract's been lodged and signed so we've ticked all the boxes there," Henry said."We'll have to have a contingency plan around them knocking it back but I can't really see a reason."We couldn't name him within the 21 anyway because we weren't sure if he was able to come so that was out of our hands but now he's here and we've done all the formalities around what we needed to do."He's a regular first-grader and he's connected to the area."He's a big body and he's a bit of bad luck with injuries at times and I think his best footy's ahead of him."He's had enough experience now, he started quite a while ago with the Broncos and I see him being an asset out on that edge."With Sarginson highly doubtful and no outside backs named on the Titans' extended reserves bench Henry is now facing the prospect of having to move Chris McQueen to left centre for the second week in succession with either Joe Greenwood or Leivaha Pulu coming into the back row.‌RELATED ARTICLESTitans v Eels: Schick PreviewCopley signs with TitansPaasi not scared of anyoneCornish earns NRL debut with injury-hit Titans‌

Replies

Wile E. Coyote March 16, 2017 at 2:58pm

Prexisting injuries I guess

Wonder if someone was injured after side named if could bring someone else in
This reply was deleted.
- Nitram March 16, 2017 at 3:35pm
  
  Yeah I agree I was definitely expecting coaches to name a 18 half, 19 hooker, 20 forward and 21 back combination.
Mitchy March 16, 2017 at 3:45pm

It is a grey area; as some coaches could use the excuse of injuries and have a Junior Paulo / Peats sign mid season. I think a blanket rule is the way to go; if players are listed / and registered in 21 then yes but if not, then tough luck.
Ham Sammich March 16, 2017 at 3:53pm

So the Titans intentionally named 3 players with injury concerns? Is even more stupid when you remember that the titams are owned by the NRL so you would think that they'd have more knowledge about this stuff.
- Mitchy > Ham Sammich March 16, 2017 at 7:57pm
  
  I said it could be used Ham. As in have players on the bench who are not 100%. I'm glad the rule is enforced or it should be.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER March 16, 2017 at 4:47pm

I just hope we DONT remember the TITANS I hope they REMEMBER THE EELS but it be so close it wont be funny they will give us a run for our money they will

and I was reading the paper the North Sydney Bears wont to move up to the gold coast and do away with the titans and be called Gold coast Bears
Traditional Croissant March 16, 2017 at 5:30pm

Isn't Copley the reason why Jenko is playing for us ? Roberts to Brisbane meant Copley to th Roosters which meant Jennings to Parra
- Muttman > Traditional Croissant March 16, 2017 at 5:57pm
  
  Yep. What were The Roosters thinking with that one?
- Traditional Croissant > Traditional Croissant March 16, 2017 at 7:20pm
  
  Big time ! Massive dud
Nitram March 16, 2017 at 7:48pm

Understand the decision and good on the NRL in sticking strong with their new rules regarding the 21 man squads. Saying that though titans do have an injury crisis of sorts and it's a bit harsh.