NRL market watch: Eels dismiss interest in Titans forward Beau Fermor amid Gold Coast cleanout
A roster cleanout looms at the Gold Coast, with a number of big-name players linked with the exits. However, the Eels have distanced themselves from a move for a big Titans star.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Parramatta have distanced themselves from luring Queensland State of Origin backrower Beau Fermor from the Titans.
Fermor’s future on the Gold Coast has been the subject of uncertainty in recent weeks with the 26-year-old believed to be frustrated at the club’s lack of on-field excellence.
There have been suggestions across the game that Fermor had requested a release from the final year of his Titans deal, or had at least asked for permission to talk with rival clubs before November 1, however Gold Coast management have denied that is the case to this masthead.
Senior Titans officials haven’t shied away from the fact they have underachieved in 2025.
The Eels have been linked to Fermor, however this masthead has also spoken with Parramatta officials, who have stated they aren’t interested in signing the talented forward.
The Eels have already commenced the process of forecasting their roster in the back row by signing young talents Jezaiah Funa-luta, Will Latu and Kitione Kautoga until the end of 2027.
The news comes as former Maroons fullback AJ Brimson insisted he would not be squeezed out of the Gold Coast after a number of big-name Titans were linked with exits as a roster cleanout looms.
Brimson believes there is room for him and Kiwis No. 1 sensation Keano Kini on the Glitter Strip until the end of the decade.
Big roster changes are coming at the Titans amid the club’s crash into wooden spoon favouritism this season.
Highly-paid backrower David Fifita is on the outer with coach Des Hasler and winger Phil Sami is also expected to not be offered an extension beyond next season.
Along with Fermor, try-scoring ace Alofiana Khan-Pereira has also been linked with a potential move, despite also having a year remaining on his contract.
All four players are off-contract at the end of 2026, making them free agents from November 1 this year.
Kini recently joined Brimson in signing with the Titans until the end of 2030 – despite both players being most comfortable at fullback.
Kini was Hasler’s preferred choice but has been sidelined for most of the year with a spinal injury, opening the door for Brimson to play in his favourite position at the back.
Brimson, 26, said he had no desire to leave the Titans and was open to playing elsewhere in the team.
“At the end of the day I’m signed until 2030 so I just want to win games at the Titans,” he said.
“Each year’s a new surprise. Last year I did my whole pre-season at centre. This year I did my pre-season at six and I’m playing fullback at the moment.
“I’m assuming the club’s got that planned.
“When ‘K’ (Kini) was fit this year I was at six and he was at one so I would assume that’s the way it’s going to go back to. We’ll see what happens.
“I do love fullback, I’ve said that many times. But I love winning games more and if that is me at six and ‘K’ at one … I just want to be doing better than what we are doing at the moment.
“Footy is only ever frustrating when you are losing. At the start of the year I was at six and we went two wins from three (games). I was pretty happy because we were winning games.”
The Titans recorded their fifth win of the season on Saturday, upsetting the Warriors in New Zealand in Hasler’s 500th game as an NRL head coach.
They face another task at Cbus Super Stadium this Saturday in four-time premiers Penrith, who are on a seven-game winning streak and bolting towards the NRL finals.
Brimson said the vibes were high at Parkwood despite the Titans’ lowly position on the ladder.
“It’s a better mood. We’ve been training really well the past month as well, so the energy’s been there, we just haven’t been getting results,” he said.
“I go into every week thinking we’re going to win.
“Penrith are obviously on a hot streak so they’re not going to be easy, but neither were the Warriors over there, so we’ll go out expecting to win.
“The last month’s probably been the best we’ve ever trained throughout the year. We’re not training with the mindset of a last-place team.
“We’re still going out there confident. It’s been disappointing, but we’ve been training really well, high energy, and I thought it was building towards the win on the weekend.”
More Coverage
Originally published as NRL market watch: Eels dismiss interest in Titans forward Beau Fermor amid Gold Coast cleanout
Sneaky tactic players use to hoodwink the bunker revealed
NRL boss Andrew Abdo has called on players to be respectful to referees, as a sneaky tactic has emerged around close-talking players trying to influence the Bunker.
Luai: I tried to make Galvin a better player
As he prepares to take on his former halves partner for the first time, Jarome Luai has opened up on Lachlan Galvin’s Wests Tigers exit, insisting he only ever want to help his ex-teammate.