The Titans made a call on the future of Des Hasler on Monday, with a new era on the Gold Coast set to begin under rookie coach Josh Hannay in 2026.
It’s been a torrid year for the Titans, winning only five games, while multiple spot fires have emerged and many are yet to be solved.
The futures of star forwards Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and David Fifita are well and truly up in the air, while the club’s best spine moving forward is still unclear.
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According to Code Sports, Hannay takes over from Hasler, who had one year remaining on his contract, and will depart his role as Sharks assistant coach.
Hannay has been a caretaker coach previously at Cronulla (2021) and the Cowboys (2020). He was also a heated contender to win the vacant Eels role, which was eventually awarded to fellow rookie Jason Ryles.
The 45-year-old has long been considered an NRL head coach in-waiting, having been handed a huge nod of approval by Billy Slater after being appointed his Maroons assistant.
Regardless of his coaching pedigree, Hannay faces a big baptism of fire on the Gold Coast with some big questions yet to be answered.
WILL DAVID FIFITA REMAIN ON THE GOLD COAST?
David Fifita has endured a turbulent season under Des Hasler.
An ankle injury has hampered his performances and minutes all season, and when fit the superstar was largely resigned to a role on the bench.
The 25-year-old, who is reportedly earning $950,000 per-season on his current deal, was also dropped to Queensland Cup after a reported disagreement with Hasler.
Fifita requested to start on the left edge, but Hasler was adamant Beau Fermor would remain in that spot and instead demoted him from the first grade squad.
Meanwhile, Fifita also had a disagreement with Titans medical staff regarding his return from an ankle injury, which has since required a further season-ending surgery.
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According to The Courier Mail, Fifita’s management was informed they had permission to negotiate with rivals regarding a move for the 2026 season.
He is contracted until the end of 2026, but a reunion with former Broncos mentor Wayne Bennett at the Rabbitohs reportedly looks likely.
But does Hannay’s arrival shift his chances of remaining on the Gold Coast?
There’s no doubting Fifita is one of the NRL’s most damaging back rowers when fit and firing, and Hannay will be hopeful of having all the talent he can for his debut season.
The rookie coach will almost certainly sit down with Fifita and his management, hoping to smooth the situation over and retain his services.
But his decision could also hinge on Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s contract call.
Regardless, Hannay will likely have the final say regarding whether Fifita is allowed to depart and a fresh start could be perfect for both parties.
CAN HANNAY CONVINCE TINO TO STAY?
Given they are a team which just parted ways with their coach and sit last on the premiership table, the Titans have several important roster decisions to make before they begin their 2026 campaign.
However, it is one of their superstars that has a big call to make himself around his future at the club.
In 2023, skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui put pen to paper on a mammoth ten-year deal with the Gold Coast. It has emerged though that there are a couple of get-out clauses in his deal.
The first of those, if triggered, allows Fa’asuamaleaui to leave at the end of next season.
The Titans are desperate to keep him but there are several suitors who are said to be interested, including the expansion Perth Bears, Bulldogs and Dragons.
Whether those clubs can better the $1.2 million Fa’asuamaleaui is currently on remains to be seen.
Veteran journalist Phil Rothfield is unsure as to what Fa’asuamaleaui’s Titans future looks like but did note that body language from the skipper in recent press conferences isn’t a good sign for the club.
“I don’t know if he’ll stay. I really don’t know,” Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast radio show.
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“He’s on money that other clubs can’t match.
“If you look at his body language in the press conferences, he looks like he’s had enough.”
It’s assumed the relationship between Hasler and Fa’asuamaleaui has been fine this season, but perhaps the reported switch to Hannay could work in the Titans’ favour when it comes to keeping their star middle.
Hannay and Fa’asuamaleaui have a pre-existing rapport with from Origin camps, with Hannay being on Maroons coach Billy Slater’s staff since 2022.
It’s a near sure thing that one of Hannay’s first calls after he’s hired will be to Fa’asuamaleaui to get a gauge where he’s at and sell his vision to try and keep the Titans skipper to say.
However, it’s entirely possible too that even a pitch from Hannay won’t be enough given the lack of success and the amount of dysfunction .
If Fa’asuamaleaui wants success and to win a premiership in the near future, the Titans will have to ascend sharply up the ladder in 2026, otherwise their best player will head for the exit.
TITANS SPINE CONUNDRUM AND FIXING A WOODEN SPOON TEAM
It’s been a consistent issue for Des Hasler.
The Titans have four players who are all viable fullback options in Jayden Campbell, Keano Kini, AJ Brimson and Jaylan de Groot.
Having depth in such a crucial position is a luxury, but it becomes a headache when all four are fit and battling for positions.
Campbell has taken over the No.7 jersey and is delivering as a chief playmaker, while veteran five-eighth Kieran Foran has confirmed he will retire at the season’s end.
Foran, an experienced and quality playmaker, was set to start the season as a utility but instead slotting straight into the halves before featuring at halfback.
Regardless, his departure opens up a halves spot that can be filled by AJ Brimson, with Kini the leading option to wear the No.1 jersey.
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Kini was handed a mammoth contract extension in May, despite being already signed until the end of 2026, blocking any rivals from making a move for his services.
The 21-year-old’s deal was reportedly one of the richest in Titans history and Hannay will be hopeful the rising star will be fit and firing, having battled a spinal injury in 2025.
Campbell, meanwhile, reportedly harbours a desire to play in the No.6 according to Bears coach Mal Meninga when speaking about his reportedly $4.5 million contract extension.
“I believe it has been sitting on the table for quite a while,” Meninga said.
“Obviously there is a few things happening behind the scenes at the Titans.
“I think he is certainly a player of promise and they would want to keep him for sure.
“He is a local lad and his dad Preston played for the club as well. I think they will go out of their way to keep Jayden. He is an exciting prospect.
“I think his best position is probably five-eighth and I think that’s where he wants to play. I think he is worth it and he is worth the investment going forward.”
Foran’s departure seems to have solved the spine headache for Hannay, but beyond Campbell and Brimson, the Gold Coast only have one other playmaker signed.
Tom Weaver’s contract expires at the end of the 2025 season, while rugby union convert Carter Gordon has played only four Queensland Cup games in the halves to date.
But beyond just their spine, the Titans overall roster looks destined for an overhaul, which has already begun.
The outside back pairing of Phil Sami and Brian Kelly has reportedly been informed they won’t be offered contracts beyond their current deals, which expire at the end of 2026.
Meanwhile, Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui has signed with the Catalans Dragons in the Super League and alongside Weaver, Tony Francis, Ryan Foran, Jacob Alick, Harley Smith-Shields, Ben Liyou and Arama Hau are without contracts for next year.
That leaves a host of open spots for the Titans to hit the open market — but who could they realistically sign?
It’d be a bold move to sign another fullback but Will Kennedy is without a contract for 2026, while fellow Sharks teammates Billy Burns and Mawene Hiroti could be solid recruitment options.
As back-up half, Sean O’Sullivan is without a deal but has been linked with a move to the Bulldogs.
Sea Eagles enforcer Sio Siua Taukeiaho has been solid in his return to the NRL, but looks likely to remain at Brookvale oval.
Interestingly in the front row, Tui Kamikamica is available amid a contract crunch at the Storm and would be a solid recruitment move.
Te Maire Martin is also without a contract and could prove to be the perfect utility or stand-in playmaker should one of Jayden Campbell or AJ Brimson go down injured.
Rising Rabbitohs forwards Thomas Fletcher and Davvy Moale are also available, while Justin Matamua could be a solid signing from the Tigers.
IS HASLER’S TIME AS AN NRL HEAD COACH OVER?
Des Hasler is one rugby league’s best ever coaches.
Hasler coached in his 500th first grade game earlier this season, becoming just the sixth coach to achieve the feat against the Warriors in Round 21.
Only Wayne Bennett, Tim Sheens, Brian Smith, Craig Bellamy and Ricky Stuart have coached more games than the 64-year-old.
He has won two premierships with the Sea Eagles in 2008 and 2011 and reached the grand final with the Bulldogs in 2012 and 2014.
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But his latest tenure with the Titans has been nothing short of a disaster, so will he find another role as a head coach?
Two clubs, the Titans and Eels, have now put their faith in rookies in Jason Ryles and Hannay in a trend that goes against signing someone of the ilk of Hasler.
The veteran is as experienced as decorated as they come but his most recent stint could put clubs off recruiting one of rugby league’s biggest characters.
As it stands, no head coaching roles are open, with the Knights the most likely to become available with Adam O’Brien’s future for the 2026 season up in the air.
Reports have suggested Blake Green is a contender to take over from O’Brien, but incoming chief Peter Parr and Green himself poured cold water on that move.
So for now, Hasler will have to wait for an opportunity to come up or take up a role as an assistant or mentor, which looks the more likely opportunity to present itself.
But overall, NRL clubs should not discount the wealth of experience Hasler has had in a storied career and one more head coaching chance could arise.
WAS IT THE RIGHT CALL TO SACK JUSTIN HOLBROOK?
It was a move which shocked the rugby league world.
The morning after Game II of the 2023 State of Origin series, the Titans got rid of coach Justin Holbrook in the midst of what was a solid season.
The knifing was done with a replacement firmly in mind. Holbrook was to be replaced by dual-premiership winning coach Hasler from 2024.
It was a decision that the club have not yet recovered from and sent them in the opposite direction.
Since that call, the Titans have been the worst team in the NRL, compiling a horror 16-57 record.
Hasler also has the worst winning percentage of any Titans coach, coming away victorious in only 13 of his 46 games in charge for a strike rate of 28.3 per cent.
Compare that to Holbrook’s 37.8 per cent across 82 games at the helm, or the best record of any Gold Coast mentor held by John Cartwright who swon 45.3 per cent of his games.
Garth Brennan had the second worst record at 30 per cent in his 40 games, while Neil Henry was sat only slightly behind Holbrook at 37.3 per cent.
Titans coaching records
John Cartwright: 192 games, 87 wins, 45.3 per cent strike rate
Justin Holbrook: 82 games, 31 wins, 37.8 per cent strike rate
Neil Henry: 75 games, 28 wins, 37.3 per cent strike rate
Garth Brennan: 40 games, 12 wins, 30 per cent strike rate
Des Hasler: 46 games, 13 wins, 28.3 per cent strike rate
While Hasler might have been labelled a sexy hire made by a club desperate for relevance, it has proven to be a huge swing and a miss.
Holbrook has since become a key part of the Roosters’ set up and will no doubt be hot property whenever he signals he wishes to again become an NRL head coach.
After the way they treated him, it just won’t be at the Titans.
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