Des Hasler goes head-to-head with journalist over NRL future, coach insists he won’t walks out on Titans

Des Hasler is feeling the heat amid bombshell contract clause revelations that leave his coaching future uncertain. It’s a perilous position that led to a tense exchange with a journalist when probed on the plight of the Titans.

A defiant Des Hasler insists he won’t walk out on the Titans and has appealed to fans for patience amid revelations he is facing the axe on the Gold Coast.

Hasler is fighting to save his job as the Titans look to snap a five-game losing streak in Friday night’s clash with the Knights in Newcastle.

The Titans brutally sacked coach Justin Holbrook midway through the 2023 season after clandestinely signing Hasler on a three-year deal beginning in 2024.

However the two-time premiership mentor is now facing an uncertain future only halfway into the contract due to a raft of performance clauses in the deal.

The Titans finished 14th with an 8-16 record last year and are now 16th (2-6) a third of the way through the 2025 premiership.

The club is on track to finish in the NRL’s bottom four for the fourth consecutive season, raising serious questions about the franchise’s management.

A defiant Des Hasler insists he won’t walk out on the Titans. Picture: NRL Photos

But Hasler, 64, is facing his own personal battle for survival.

When asked if he was committed to seeing out his contract on the Gold Coast on Wednesday, Hasler said: “Ah yes, yeah.”

“I enjoy coaching and while I enjoy coaching I’ll continue to coach.”

Pressed on his inability to turn around the Titans so far, Hasler said: “It’s all part of it, Travis.

“We’ve been here before in these sorts of positions. In coaching terms it’s called being in the kitchen when the heat is on.

The Des Hasler era on the Gold Coast isn’t going as planned. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey

“You’ve got to ride through it.

“We need to start winning some games, starting this Friday. It won’t be easy. They’re (Knights) in a situation where they’ve had a win after a string of losses.

“A five-day turnaround will be challenging but we’ll get down there and give it our best shot.”

This reporter then probed Hasler on the plight of the Titans.

TM: Optimism was pretty high this year, everyone thought you’d turn the club around and it hasn’t happened. What makes you think it will happen?

DH: “I believe in these players.”

TM: Do you believe in yourself as a coach still?

DH: “Yes.”

The Titans showed some encouraging signs in the early part of the season, beating the Knights and Roosters in a 2-1 start to the year.

But they haven’t won since, conceding 192 points at 38.4 per game during a five-match losing streak that’s thrust Gold Coast into wooden spoon contention.

Des Hasler's Titans coaching record.

Hasler’s cause hasn’t been helped by injuries to key players Kieran Foran, Keano Kini, Jayden Campbell and David Fifita, who is facing ankle surgery after being dumped to reserve grade.

If the Eels beat the Dolphins on Thursday night the Titans will be last on the ladder.

“I want to tell the fans to hang on,” Hasler said.

“We haven’t used injuries as an excuse and we don’t want to.

“We realise we’re in games for parts of the game. We need to put a full 80 minutes in.

“We’re getting troops back on board so stay with us.

“The players are trying really hard and their efforts are really strong, so be patient.”

Originally published as Des Hasler goes head-to-head with journalist over NRL future, coach insists he won’t walks out on Titans