Leading NRL journalist David Riccio has rejected suggestions that Matty Johns and Gorden Tallis’ ownership of the Gold Coast Titans will lead to bias in their media roles. The Titans announced on Monday that Johns and Tallis – along with their respective wives Trish and Gemma – are part of a new consortium that have bought in to the NRL club.
Rebecca and Brett Frizelle, who bought out long-time owner Darryl Kelly in July, will remain majority owners. Award-winning journalist Hedley Thomas and wife Ruth Mathewson, as well as two of the region’s most influential business families – Billy and Jackie Cross and Michael and Jodie Atkins – complete the consortium with Johns and Tallis and their wives.
Matty Johns and wife Trish (L), and Gorden Tallis and wife Gemma Elder (R), are new owners of the Gold Coast Titans. Image: Trish Johns/Getty
The news about the NRL greats sparked some scepticism on social media, with fans questioning what the ownership might mean for Johns and Tallis’ media gigs. There were plenty of ugly claims that Johns and Tallis might show bias or favouritism towards the Titans in their commentary and podcast roles.
But speaking on SEN radio on Monday night, Riccio rejected the suggestion completely. “I don’t think there’s any of that in question,” he said. “If anything I think fans will get a greater insight into the goings-on at the Gold Coast Titans.
“Gorden and Matty have both made careers in the media for obvious reasons – they don’t pull punches and they call it how they see it. I would argue that Matthew’s passion for the Newcastle Knights has been more significant in terms of what we could have seen. I don’t see an issue there at all.”
Gorden Tallis with Matty Johns. (Photo by Marc Grimwade/WireImage)
Matty Johns and Gorden Tallis excited for Titans venture
Johns said on Monday: “We’re investing into the Titans because we believe in the club’s potential and believe that the business acumen and professionalism of the Frizelle family will soon see that potential realised. But it’s not just an investment into the Titans, it’s an investment into rugby league, a sport which has entered a golden period, and will continue its boom into the future.”
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Tallis has acted as a Titans ambassador in the past, while Elder has been on the club’s board since 2021. Rebecca Frizelle revealed on Monday that Johns has been a constant sounding board for her and her husband.
“We have come full circle – it was through the encouragement and support of the Johns, Tallis, Cross and Thomas families that we first became involved in the club many years ago,” she said. “This opportunity has united a remarkable group of experienced leaders who share our passion for rugby league, the Titans and our commitment to this region.
“Their collective expertise and financial investment will strengthen every dimension of our club – from high-performance football, culture, stakeholder and fan engagement to commercial excellence. Our family’s dedication to the Titans has never been stronger, and this consortium enables us to harness the exceptional capabilities and expertise of partners who believe wholeheartedly in the club’s potential and have been prepared to invest financially.”
Rebecca Frizelle at a Gold Coast Titans press conference. (Photo by Jason O’Brien/Getty Images)
Broncos legend Tallis said: “It’s the first time, as far as I’m aware, that premiership-winning players have taken ownership in an NRL club. The Frizelle family have created a historic opportunity for the game,” Tallis said.
“From a footy-mad kid in Townsville to living the game’s greatest moments – I owe this game everything. And now, as investors and owners, I plan to bring that same passion to help shape the game’s future in this region and provide opportunities for the next generation of aspiring participants – on and off the field.”