Gold Coast coach Neil Henry says Nate Myles will remain Titans captain despite not ruling out that the forward played a role in Daly Cherry-Evans' stunning backflip.
Henry admitted he may never know whether Manly-bound Myles had a hand in convincing Cherry-Evans to renege on a four year Titans deal and remain at Brookvale Oval.
But he seemed more dirty on the fact that Myles signed with Manly and Aidan Sezer linked with Canberra from next year due to salary cap constraints created by the Cherry-Evans deal.
"I don't know if he had an influence or not," Henry said of Myles talking to Cherry-Evans.
"But it certainly did impact on our offer to Nate and Aidan Sezer that Cherry-Evans was coming so there were ramifications."
Asked if Myles would remain captain for the rest of the year despite suspicions surrounding his Test forward, Henry said: "I think at the moment Nate is committed to the club and his performances have been good of late - he will remain in that position."
Regardless, Myles and Sezer won't be talked into staying with the Titans.
"We are not about to try and get people to renege on a deal," Titans boss Graham Annesley said.
"That would be double standards on our part."
Henry admitted he had no contingency plan in place for Cherry-Evans' backflip despite enduring months of speculation.
"It would have been pointless. It was purely hypothetical - now we will have to look at the market," he said.
Among the halfbacks off contract this year are Trent Hodkinson (Bulldogs), Chris Sandow (Eels) and Robert Lui (Cowboys) although Henry may also enquire about Sydney Roosters pivot James Maloney.
"There are a number of halfbacks who haven't signed a contract - and high profile ones as well," Henry said.
"We will have to see. It does free up a bit of money in the cap."
But Henry reckons they already have their next captain in their midst, citing young gun Kane Elgey, budding NSW Origin forward Ryan James and veteran Luke Douglas as candidates.
"We have people to step up in that leadership role," he said.
Asked if the backflip would put other players off signing with the Titans, Henry said: "I think it (the backflip) says something about when you sign a deal and shake a hand you think a deal is done and it is not."
Annesley was not impressed with Cherry-Evans' managers Chris and Gavin Orr who had reportedly assured the Titans throughout the saga that their star client was still heading to the tourist strip.
And he certainly wasn't happy that the club had learned of the decision via the media.
Annesley said the only silver lining to the drama was the NRL abolishing the controversial round 13 contract rule.
"No club will have to deal with this sort of saga (again)," he said.
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