Mal Meninga wants to remain at Gold Coast Titans as new coach Des Hasler overhauls club

Immortal Mal Meninga was tipped to exit the Titans after he was left out of the decision to sack Justin Holbrook. Now he wants to be part of Des Hasler’s Gold Coast revolution.

New Titans coach Des Hasler is overhauling the club. Picture: NRL Imagery

Cyclone Des has made landfall on the Gold Coast and Immortal Mal Meninga wants to extend his stay at the Titans as the NRL battlers chase premiership success.

‘Desneyland’ is coming to life at the Titans following the arrival of new coach Des Hasler ahead of his highly-anticipated Gold Coast takeover.

Hasler doesn’t officially start his three-year tenure as Titans coach until November, but the two-time NRL premiership-winner has moved to the Gold Coast and already made significant changes at the club’s Parkwood headquarters.

Hasler has signed a new assistant coach in Michael Monaghan and the construction of ‘Des’ Dojo’ – a sweltering wrestling tent – has put Titans players on notice that they are about to experience their toughest ever pre-season.

The playing group is also on notice with the likes of halfback Tanah Boyd facing an uncertain future as Hasler weighs up making changes to a misfiring team.

Hasler’s overhaul has Titans high performance consultant and Kangaroos coach Meninga excited about what the future holds for the club following Justin Holbrook’s ultimately failed four-season stint as head coach.

Mal Meninga wants to extend his stay at the Titans. Picture: Getty Images

Meninga, 63, was frozen out of the clandestine decision to axe Holbrook and sign Hasler, prompting speculation he would sever ties with the Titans following five years with the club.

But he is in talks with the Titans about extending his contract, which expires next month, and said Hasler would bring a hard edge to the Gold Coast.

“My Titans contract expires soon but I’m in chats with the club and it’s been positive. I would like to keep contributing and if I can, I will,” Meninga said.

“I’d like to think I’ve played a role in the evolution of the Titans. There’s been a lot of people behind the scenes at the Titans who believe in the process we are going through.

“Like anything in life, you are part of the beginning and you want to be part of the project when it starts to generate success.

“Des will do a good job at the Titans. He is a great coach, he is a very good student of the game and he has great rapport with the players.

“He holds everyone accountable and he is a hard task master, but I think that’s what you need in this game if you want to succeed and win premierships.”

New Titans coach Des Hasler has been working hard behind the scenes. Picture: NRL Imagery

Hasler, 62, has kept a low profile since his appointment and Holbrook’s brutal sacking in June and is embroiled in a legal spat with Manly following his dismissal last year.

But he has been working feverishly behind the scenes to ensure he hits the ground running in his debut season with the Titans.

The five-time NRL grand final coach has been involved in high-level talks involving the Titans and few decisions have been made in the past four months without Hasler’s input.

Hasler conducted post-season player reviews and has made recruitment and retention decisions – including the retention of superstar free agents Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and David Fifita – as he prepares to launch his first Titans pre-season on November 6.

While he has shown faith in most of Holbrook’s coaching staff, Hasler has brought in new medical experts and long-time Manly assistant Monaghan.

Sea Eagles captain Daly Cherry-Evans won the 2011 NRL premiership under Hasler and said he would transform the Titans from back-to-back bottom four finishers to contenders.

“He is just what the Titans need,” Cherry-Evans said.

“They have a talented young playing group and I just think he will really steel them, he will have them physically ready to go and emotionally ready to play every game.

“Des will bring a hard edge. I don’t know what’s happening in the four walls of the Titans but what I do know is what Des will bring and he will harden everyone.

“On a weekly basis, there will be no excuses to not come at your best because he gives you every chance to be at your best.

“I love Des’s style. I need to be told where I can get better and I enjoy the education Des provides.

“I don’t like people that aren’t upfront. Des used to hit me between the eyes and that’s why we connected.

“There’s no bullshit with Des, he just says ‘you have to be better here, you have to do this and this is how you do it’.

“He not only challenged me, but he helps you with answers and that’s what he will do for Titans players.”

Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans is a big fan of Hasler. Picture: Monique Harmer

While he made the Titans a decent attacking team, Holbrook lacked a hard edge and there was a feeling at the club that accountability was missing following a string of poor performances.

Cherry-Evans warned Titans players they were in for a tough summer and there was more to Hasler than the ‘Mad Scientist’ image he portrays.

“It’s going to be a tough pre-season,” he said.

“No pre-season is easy but Des will do things with his staff that will challenge you physically. Once you’re challenged physically there is a mental challenge as well.

“He always had us ready for the season ahead. He did a fantastic job during pre-seasons to challenge you and be better, physically and mentally. The Titans will be in good shape come round one.

“Des definitely has a soft side to him, of course he does. Some NRL coaches play the game through the media and Des is no different.

“He loves his players and will do whatever he can to protect them. Sometimes that means he looks a bit crazy on TV.

“I can promise you it’s coming from a good place and he’ll be looking after the boys, that’s for sure.”

Titans chairman Dennis Watt and CEO Steve Mitchell sacked Justin Holbrook to appoint Hasler. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Hasler is finalising his move to the Glitter Strip and has been commuting between the Gold Coast and Sydney in recent weeks.

But he has already made his mark on the Titans and ‘Desneyland’ is taking shape.

“He’s 100 miles an hour, he is a driven individual,” Titans chairman Dennis Watt said.

“He has moved up now, they’ve got themselves a place at Burleigh so we’re starting to see more and more of him.

“There’s a fair bit of building work going on at Parkwood at the moment. When the players, coaches and staff come back, it will be a refreshed environment which is always good when you’re about to start a new off-season.

“All the planning is well underway, I’m sure every last detail.”

Originally published as Mal Meninga wants to remain at Gold Coast Titans as new coach Des Hasler overhauls club