Crash Craddock: Hasler facing big selection call at Titans, could Corey Oates popularity lead to contract renewal?

Alarm bells are ringing at the Titans, winless in 2024 and now the owners of the worst defensive statistic in 22 years. Des Hasler now faces some tough selection calls if he wants to salvage his side’s season.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 30: Tanah Boyd of the Titans is tackled by Jesse Bromwich of the Dolphins during the round four NRL match between Gold Coast Titans and Dolphins at Cbus Super Stadium, on March 30, 2024, in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Halfback Tanah Boyd, 23, was like a kid in a candy shop when Des Hasler arrived to coach the Titans.

The old halfback teaching the young rugby league nuffy seemed the perfect formula and Boyd soaked up early training tips.

But Boyd, who fought off a challenge from former Australian schoolboy Tom Weaver to retain his place in first grade, is struggling for form after facing the supreme challenge of being caught behind a pack which is being pushed around with the Titans 0-3.

Tough selection issues lie ahead.

Statistics aren’t shining favourably on Des Hasler and the Titans. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Image

STAT’S TROUBLE

Defence is attitude. Rugby league fans have been saying it for 100 years and it is as true now as it was a century ago.

Fox League’s Dan Ginnane revealed the Titans are the first team in 22 years to concede 28 points in eight games in a row.

It’s damning. For all of the Titans’ problems in scoring points – they’ve managed just four tries this season – they are going nowhere unless they can plug their defensive holes. It’s a huge challenge for new coach Hasler.

Corey Oates celebrates a try on his return to the first-grade side. Picture: NRL Photos

FAN FAVOURITE OATES

Can people power salvage Corey Oates’ future at the Broncos?

This was the question hanging in the air after enigmatic winger Oates received a thunderous ovation from the Suncorp Stadium crowd when he played his first match of the season and scored a try against the Cowboys.

Veteran Oates, 29, is out of contract at the season’s end and his best days may have passed him by. But he is still serviceable.

So loud was the reaction to the 12-season Bronco you wonder whether it could be a factor if he is a 50-50 call for a new deal. Will someone in the room make the point “well, the fans love him …’’

Wayne Bennett says if you listen to the fans you will eventually join them. But public support has had its say in player retention before.

Souths winger Alex Johnston was on the verge of leaving the Rabbitohs before the fans spoke up and he got a new deal though admittedly that had more to do with the salary cap than his age.

When failing to make the first grade side for the early rounds Oates did not appear for the Burleigh Bears and it has now been revealed he was offered the chance to “freshen up.’’

It’s not the whackiest excuse we have heard but you wouldn’t want to mention it around the club’s hardworking front-rowers.

A winger missing the first three rounds of the season to freshen up from – wait for it – the off-season!

Wayne Bennett. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

WAYNE’S WAY

Is Wayne Bennett a man of great influence or did he just happen to back the right horse?

Bennett last month went strongly into bat for Suncorp Stadium to host the opening and closing ceremonies at the Olympics and said it made perfect sense to have the athletics at QSAC Stadium.

Look what’s happened …

DON IS GOOD

At least one Titan found the winners’ circle on the weekend.

Former winger and cult favourite Anthony Don part-owned Kalapour, winner of the Group 1 Tancred Stakes at the juicy odds of $31 in Sydney.

Don, who grew up near the local racecourse in Grafton, is a mad punter who is part of an ownership group called the Tah Boys who used to live on campus at university in Newcastle and would have a drink on Wednesday afternoons at the Waratahs Leagues Club.

“It was a massive thrill to win,’’ Don said. “Such a big race on a big day at (the odds of) $60. It was an epic moment. Hopefully we can go to the Sydney Cup in a few weeks with a light weight and be a massive chance.

“It’s good to have a horse racing on big days with a bunch of mates I went to Uni with. We are having the time of our lives.’’

Could Matt Ballin be a future NRL coach? Picture: NRL Photos

FUTURE LEADER

There are not too many emerging assistant coaches who stand out as first grade coaches of the future but Broncos assistant Matt Ballin is one of them.

The Nanango-born Ballin who played more than 200 games for Manly has earnt such good reviews as a Broncos assistant that he has won a place as an assistant coach to Billy Slater for the Queensland team.

Last weekend he spoke at a charity function at Eagle Junction State School and his lively, engaging stories and insights left the locals – including a few former league hard heads – convinced he was a fine communicator with the relatability needed to be a decent coach.

SMART MOVE

Common sense has prevailed with the Broncos resisting the chance to re-sign Tevita Pangai Junior.

The Broncos found Pangai a difficult manage during his previous stint with the club and the fact that he has prioritised a boxing career left further doubts about his genuine commitment to a sport which he claims he only played as a youngster because his parents wanted him to.

XXXX QUEENSLAND TEAM OF THE WEEK

■ Team of Round 3

■ Team of Round 2

■ Team of Round 1

Originally published as Crash Craddock: Hasler facing big selection call at Titans, could Corey Oates popularity lead to contract renewal?