Josiah Pahulu requests permission to leave Gold Coast Titans to join Canterbury Bulldogs
The Gold Coast are facing a battle to keep one of their best young stars, rejecting a request from Josiah Pahulu to join the Bulldogs immediately as a bitter split rocks the club.
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The Gold Coast Titans have refused to address reports they dudded rising star Josiah Pahulu of a $40,000 bonus, prompting the Queensland Origin hopeful to request an immediate release to join Phil Gould’s Bulldogs.
Pahulu is on the verge of quitting the Titans following a contract spat that is set to deliver Gold Coast’s reigning rookie of the year to Canterbury.
The Titans have rejected Pahulu’s request, but the situation is simmering behind the scenes.
Pahulu is contracted at the Titans until the end of next year but the Bulldogs are keen to get him to Belmore ahead of the 2025 NRL Premiership.
Pahulu, 20, produced a sensational rookie season in 2024, helping the Titans overcome the absence of injured captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (knee).
But his debut NRL campaign ended on a sour note following a controversial selection decision by Titans coach Des Hasler that ultimately cost Pahulu $40,000.
A clause in Pahulu’s $210,000 base contract meant he would receive a bonus should he play 20 games in first grade.
Pahulu ended up playing 19 NRL games in 2024 being omitted for the club’s final match of the season against Penrith, leaving him one game short of qualifying for his bonus.
Pahulu and his family are understood to have been upset by the decision and the Ipswich product hit the NRL’s open market on November 1.
Bulldogs football chief Gould is keen to lure Pahulu to rising Canterbury, preferably immediately as they look to build on this year’s drought-breaking finals season.
Titans CEO Steve Mitchell would not comment on the Pahulu situation.
“Our club policy is that we don’t comment publicly on recruitment and retention, which applies to this case like all others,” he said.
“All contracts are confidential between employee and employer and therefore, the club can’t speak to specific details outlined in the playing contract.”
The Titans have splashed huge cash on a forward pack including Maroons players David Fifita, Moeaki Fotuaika and Fa’asuamaleaui along with Queensland squad member Beau Fermor.
Hasler has also signed former Kangaroos prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard for the next three years.
The decision to load up on the forward pack is set to cost the Titans a young gun in Pahulu.
Pahulu trained with the Titans on Tuesday morning and it remains to be seen if he plays for Gold Coast or a rival club in 2025.
“He was super for us, he jumped out of the ground,” Titans playmaker Kieran Foran said.
“Off the back of Tino’s injury, we needed a young guy to stand up and he certainly filled that void for us. He was amazing.
“I’m not too sure what’s happening with his contract, that will work itself out.
“He’s here training and looks good. He’s ripping in and we’re happy to have him.”
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