The Gold Coast Titans problems run far deeper than just on-field performance

The Gold Coast has become a place where rugby league careers go to flounder with the Titans unable to attract fans or retain talent. Good luck to whoever steps into the coaching hot seat next.

The clock is ticking on the Gold Coast. Not just on Des Hasler’s coaching career but on an outlandish comment that they will win two NRL titles and two NRLW premierships by 2030.

Chief executive Steve Mitchell declared his ambition at the end of 2021 which was supposed to be the start of a bold new era for the Titans. A fresh logo and lofty expectations – a club on the rise under former coach Justin Holbrook. Aside from delivering premierships the Titans were supposed to sell out every ticket to their 27,350 seat stadium.

Since then they have cracked the 20,000 mark just four times – twice against the Broncos and twice against the Warriors.

And who could blame the Gold Coast faithful for not showing up. Why would they when they have been forced to endure mediocrity year after year?

Gold Coast coach Des Hasler.

They can sit back and watch four former starting halfbacks run around for the top four teams this weekend. Toby Sexton (Bulldogs), Jamal Fogarty (Canberra), Tanah Boyd (Warriors) and Jahrome Hughes (Melbourne) are all Titans discards.

All this while Hasler has spent the best part of his 18 month stint trying to work out what their best halves combination is. Jayden Campbell, AJ Brimson and Kieran Foran have all been given a crack. But still there is no clarity on what the long-term solution to the problem will be. Their cap is all out of whack while having essentially three big money fullbacks in Campbell, Brimson and Keano Kini on their books. While the trio are naturally talented they would have been better off trying to buy a genuine half.

The Gold Coast Titans have rarely got the best out of David Fifita. Picture: Getty Images

Unlocking David Fifita has also been a task too hard for those on the Gold Coast. He has not lived up to his million dollar contract in what is now looming as another recruitment blunder to add to their long list of retention and signing stuff-ups.

At least the management had the foresight to insert a secret clause into Hasler’s deal enabling them to freely cut ties with him if they don’t make the top eight. Or once it becomes a mathematical impossibility of playing finals football this year.

That will save them from any courtroom drama which has followed Hasler in his previous coaching positions. Hasler – whose appointment was one of the game’s best kept secrets before being announced the day after Origin II in 2023 – was supposed to be the man to bring Titans some credibility.

He is now on the path of following a long list of coaches and players on the Gold Coast in what has become a place where careers flounder.

Their recently worded limp statement released on a Thursday night last month showed that the Titans’ problems run far deeper than just on-field performances. They hinted the media scrutiny on Hasler’s job was part of the reason why he had again been critical of the match officials before going on to say that “Hasler will remain head coach and is contracted until the end of 2026.”

Given the clauses they put in and with the Titans anchored toward the bottom of the ladder it will take a near miracle for Hasler to be contracted at the Titans next year.

Almost as much of a phenomenon as the club winning two titles in the next five years. Good luck to whoever next steps into the hot seat.

Originally published as The Gold Coast Titans problems run far deeper than just on-field performance