Jarryd Hayne's departure "gifted" National Rugby League side Gold Coast Titans a A$1.3M ($980,000) "war chest" it can use to "exploit an NRL loophole and become a premiership powerhouse," according to Meyn & Badel of the Brisbane COURIER-MAIL. On Thursday, Hayne was released from his contract. The Titans are "considering banking a portion" of the A$1M the club freed up by releasing Hayne, combined with money already reserved in the salary cap, to "build one of the NRL's richest squads" for '19. Under NRL rules, clubs must spend 95% of its salary cap every season. However, the NRL confirmed clubs were "able to pay players in advance for the following year." The Titans could get through next season with a "low-profile" fullback and forward pay players, "giving them a bumper salary cap" to launch a signing "spree" for '19. Manager Garth Brennan said, "We have a lot of money if the right person becomes available to strengthen our squad. If there is a marquee player out there that ticks the boxes we're looking for, then by all means we're in a position to speak to them" (COURIER-MAIL, 11/30).
