Gold Coast Titans recruit Jamayne Isaako has admitted he was “extremely disappointed” to leave the Brisbane Broncos earlier than originally anticipated but says he lost confidence in his ability to make the starting side under coach Kevin Walters.
Isaako had been due to play one final season with the Broncos this year before joining the NRL’s 17th franchise the Dolphins from 2023.
However, Isaako stunned the rugby league world this week by linking with Brisbane’s rivals the Titans, having been granted a release from the club where he made his name.
Fronting the media for the first time since the shock move, Isaako explained on Thursday that he wasn’t part of the Brisbane coaching staff’s plans for this season.
“There were a couple of blokes ahead of me and I had a conversation with Kevvie which didn‘t really give me too much confidence,” Isaako said on Thursday.
“The conversations we had, I didn’t get the confidence I was even going to play unless there was an injury or something like that.
“I thought I worked extremely hard over the pre-season to earn a spot in the team and, look, it wasn’t meant to be in the eyes of the coaching staff there.
“So I sat down and spoke with my manager and my family and I thought it was a good opportunity to come here (to the Titans).”
Former Bronco Xavier Coates found himself in a similar boat last season.
Despite earning selection in all three State of Origin games last year, Coates was dropped by Walters in favour of other players at the Broncos.
At the time, Walters insisted the selection call had nothing to do with Coates’ decision to sign with the Melbourne Storm for 2022 in May last year.
Isaako said he was “extremely disappointed” not to have had the chance to finish the year as a mainstay of the Broncos’ best 17.
“I obviously wanted to finish off on a high and finish off my contract there,” Isaako said.
“But like I said, it probably wasn’t meant to be. The opportunity has come up here now and I’m just looking forward to ripping in and learning off (Titans coach Justin Holbrook) Justin and the boys here.”
Isaako confirmed he had attracted the interest of premiership fancies Parramatta but said for the sake of his family, he felt remaining in Queensland was the best option.
“I wasn’t wanting to go to Sydney,” Isaako said.
“I thought it was fitting, living in ‘Brissy’ and not having to make the move, so I came to the Titans.”
Isaako said he looked forward to working with highly rated young fullback Jayden Campbell in a mentoring role.
“I think (Holbrook) just wanted some guidance for Jayden,” Isaako said.
“I’ve played 70-odd games or 80 for the Broncs and have a little bit of experience, so whatever I can do to help Jayden and guide him over the next seven months of being here … I’ll do whatever I can.”
