NRL teams round 9, Magic Round, SuperCoach analysis: Des Hasler axes David Fifita

Gold Coast coach Des Hasler has dropped a bombshell on the terrible Titans, axing Queensland Origin star David Fifita for Magic Round.

Des Hasler has made one of the biggest calls of his coaching career, axing $1 million Titans star David Fifita for Magic Round in a bid to save Gold Coast’s season.

In a move that is set to ignite speculation about his future on the Gold Coast, Fifita has been dropped to the extended reserves for Sunday’s showdown with the Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium.

Hasler appears to have had enough following four straight losses that has seen the Titans plummet into the NRL’s bottom four, where they have finished the past three seasons.

Fifita is the first high-profile casualty as Hasler looks for a way to spark his struggling team and save his job on the Gold Coast as he confronts the prospect of back-to-back bottom four campaigns.

Despite being the club’s second-highest paid player behind captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ($1.2 million-a-season), Fifita will watch from the sidelines when the injury-ravaged Titans take on the Dogs.

The timing of Fifita’s axing is intriguing.

A fortnight ago he was Gold Coast’s best player in a 38-16 loss to the Dragons, busting 11 tackles and charging for 159m, but suffered a hamstring injury and sat out their Easter Sunday choke to the Raiders.

David Fifita has been axed by the Titans. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

After missing the Canberra game, Fifita returned from the interchange, a familiar spot under Hasler’s coaching, in last Saturday’s defeat to the Cowboys in Townsville.

The bustling backrower made a number of questionable efforts in a 58-minute stint in which he missed six tackles as the Titans surrendered an 18-6 lead to lose 50-18 in an embarrassing second half performance.

He wasn’t the only poor performer but has now paid the price despite Gold Coast desperately needing a win.

While Hasler’s move is bold, it is also risky omitting one of his strike weapons given the predicament the Titans find themselves in.

At his best, Fifita is one of the most destructive forces in the NRL but Hasler has struggled to get the ex-Maroons forward firing consistently.

There have also been questions around Fifita and Hasler’s relationship after the former last year opted to quit the Titans and sign with the Roosters, only to backflip days later.

The Titans had an opportunity to move on from Fifita and his exorbitant salary, but desperately fought to convince him to stay on the Gold Coast.

He did, re-signing until the end of 2026, but has now been dropped with his team’s season on the line.

Hasler will be hoping the move puts the rest of his team on notice as they confront the reality of another failed season.

In what could be considered a siege mentality, Hasler has put the shutters up at the Titans as he searches for a way to spark his team following back-to-back chokes.

Instead of holding his pre-game press conference later in the week like usual, Hasler fronted media on Tuesday before his team was announced.

That meant he didn’t have to face questions about Fifita’s shock axing.

“There’s probably a couple of areas we need to address,” he said when asked about the nature of recent losses.

“We’re working on that.”

Behind the scenes he was plotting one of the biggest calls of his career that could be defining in his mission to turn around the Titans.

—Travis Meyn

Relief for injury-hit Sharks

Cronulla will receive perfectly timed relief from a string of injuries with centre Kayal Iro and prop Braden Hamlin-Uele set to feature against the Eels in Magic Round.

The Sharks have been hit by key injuries with Toby Rudolf, Teig Wilton, Mawene Hiroti, Sione Katoa, Liam Ison and Kade Dykes all sidelined.

The return from Iro (hamstring) and Hamlin-Uele (knee) is a timely boost for a Sharks side having just five-days to recover from a golden-point loss to the Wests Tigers on Sunday.

—David Riccio

Kayal Iro is back from injury. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

ROB’S ROUND 9 ANALYSIS + Q&A

Hello, it’s great to be back after a week of rest and relaxation. I hope you got all the Easter eggs - and SuperCoach points - you deserved.

There are some really interesting trade targets up for grabs this week so I’ll cut back on the waffle and get straight into it.

As always, please join me via the comments section below to talk trades, captaincy picks and how Tom Starling was absolutely robbed of a try assist ...

POPULAR BUYS

Robert Derby: The Cowboys winger is the most popular buy of the round with plenty of SuperCoaches looking for some quick money following Derby’s three-try 135 point effort against the Titans. I don’t hate the move - a BE of -46 guarantees you profit this week and (almost certainly) next week too. I don’t hate this buy, but just be aware that:

1. Derby is very capable of a quiet game - he averaged less than 30 points per game in the fortnight before his bumper Titans score despite the Cowboys scoring four tries in each of those games, and as a result ...

2. You will want to time your exit move as Derby will quickly lose cash once he peaks.

Scott Drinkwater: The move I am not making which is creating the most FOMO. ‘Drinky’ was a very popular buy last week and despite having a quiet first half against the Titans he had a big back end to finish with 132 points. Not a monster worker - he’s well outside the top-10 fullbacks in terms of runs - Drinkwater makes up for that with his playmaking skills (fourth best at position for try assists and second for linebreak assists) and solid goalkicking. I wouldn’t talk anyone out of this move but will be going a different way and I explain why below.

Beau Fermor: I hate to say I told you so, but a few weeks ago I wrote that those dropping Fermor after he had a couple of quiet games due to being played out of position were making a mistake and boy were they. Yes I know his try came from a forward pass, but his 61 in pure base was nothing to sneeze at and there was another try disallowed due to a different player being off-side. Fingers crossed there are no more injuries in the centres at the Titans and we get to see Fermor stay at 2RF.

NRL Teams Round 9 sub image

Hugo Savala: I feel this might be a mistake. Don’t get me wrong, I rate the kid. Love his kicking game, think the job security is solid and his DPP (2RF/HFB) is handy. But I fear last week’s 65 point effort is more an outlier than a sign of things to come. Which is not a criticism of Savala. Rather it is what he is being asked to do. Defend well, kick long and when in attack look for Tedesco.

Dylan Lucas: This is the upgrade/buy I’m making. The hard working Knight probably won’t ever score 120+, but his reliable 55-65 points in base is elite for a guy who is available in the centres and I love the draw (the Knights play every week from here until their round 18 bye). Plus this move is about team structure. I have a reasonably loaded CTW at the moment of Garrick/Kiraz/Marzhew/Purdue/Fermor/Tamale and Smith. Purdue is set to hit around $650K next week and my plan is to cash him in, move Lucas down to CTW and buy a premium 2RF.

James Tedesco: It was only a matter of time before ‘Teddy’ crossed for a try, and much to my delight one become two as the Roosters demolished the Dragons once again on Anzac Day. There’s a fear that Tedesco could be playing himself back into a NSW jersey which given the Roosters draw would be a disaster for Teddy owners. But should that happen then owners can at least console themselves knowing he would have delivered a bundle of points before needing to be traded.

Herbie Farnworth: Averaging 60.8PPG in base and power - behind only Lucas (62.7PPG) at the position - and still under 10% owned, Farnworth is a superb POD. The price is no bargain and I think Lucas at $70K less is better value, but I wouldn’t talk anyone out of the move.

Sandon Smith: The 3% of SuperCoaches who sold Smith between round six and his 129 point thumper in round eight are probably kicking themselves right about now. With five tries to his name (the most of any halfback) and an improving goalkicking game (Smith has slotted 14/15 over the last three rounds) Smith looks poised to break through the $600K price mark in the next fortnight. I’m planning on holding Smith right through the Origin/major bye period then cashing in and at under $500K I can see why some are buying too.

Sandon Smith tore apart the Dragons on Anzac Day.

Mitch Moses: Absolutely starred on his return to the NRL with four try assists against the Tigers in round seven. Fresh off the bye I can understand why some are making this move - even if I disagree with it. Central to everything the Eels do, Moses could be a great POD, but I’d wait this week at least and take one more free look.

Jack Wighton: Two tries, three linebreaks and eight tackle busts for 123 points - against the Storm - means Wighton is set to make plenty of cash over the next fortnight. Or is he? The Rabbitohs attack has been anaemic in 2025 (the third least points of any team this season) and Wighton failed to reach the 30 point mark in each of the three games before his Storm masterclass. Pass.

Erin Clark: I strongly considered Clark this week before going with Lucas. The former Titan seems happy back at the Wahs and his role seems to be growing with him getting 60+ minutes in each of his last two games. That said, outside of true outliers like his 108 points last week I think Clark is a 55-65 points kind of guy and so not someone I would have in my best 17 most weeks. Also at $577K there’s little upside in his price.

Addin Fonua-Blake: If I’m being harsh I would say AFB looks to be carrying a little more timber now than he was at the start of the season, but that’s certainly not impacting his workrate with the big unit punching out 67 in base in 62 minutes last week. The stunning form of Haas and May has made AFB into a little bit of a luxury buy but one I can get around. Averaging 70PPG, covering the first two byes and with plenty of attacking upside I was very close to going with AFB this week and would not talk anyone else out of doing so.

Viliame Kikau: The Bulldogs pump the majority of their attack down the left edge and ‘Big Billy Kiks’ is a major reason why. Averaging just 37PPG in base, Kikau is nevertheless rocking the fifth best average of any 2RF this year thanks to his four try assists and six linebreak assists. Still available for under $600K, Kikau is not as ‘safe’ as many at his position but he has plenty of upside.

POPULAR SELLS

Mawene Hiroti: Injured, got to go.

Thomas Cant: Not the 17 this week. Take your profits.

Dylan Egan: His minutes took a beating against the Roosters in a worrying sign for those hoping to see the young Dragon’s price hit $500K. With a climbing BE it’s time to take your profits.

Thomas Jenkins: Another who feels like he has peaked, cash in.

Clint Gutherson: Was always a regression candidate after an unsustainably hot start to the season. Those who cashed out at $800K did well, those who have held this long still have a profit albeit a much smaller one.

Isaiah Iongi: The one popular sell who I think should be a hold. The return of Mitch Moses improves the Parramatta attack and Iongi is one player who I think will benefit considerably there. Provides cover for the first big bye round of the season and I expect we’ll be able to sell him for $500K+ after that.

NRL ROUND 9 TEAMS

SHARKS V EELS

Friday, 6:00pm, Suncorp Stadium

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Billy Burns 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton

Reserves: 18. Jayden Berrell 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Jesse Colquhoun 21. Hohepa Puru

Eels

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood

Interchange: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Sam Tuivaiti

Reserves: 18. Ryan Matterson 19. Joash Papali’i 20. Dean Hawkins 21. Bryce Cartwright 22. Jordan Samrani

ROOSTERS v DOLPHINS

Friday, 8:05pm, Suncorp Stadium

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley

Interchange: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep 17. Egan Butcher

Reserves: 18. Ethan King 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Chad Townsend 21. Dominic Young 22. Makahesi Makatoa

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Felise Kaufusi 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Francis Molo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Tom Gilbert 13. Mark Nicholls

Interchange: 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Ray Stone 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Josh Kerr

Reserves: 18. Kenny Bromwich 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Harrison Graham 22. Max Feagai

RABBITOHS v KNIGHTS

Saturday, 3:00pm, Suncorp Stadium

Rabbitohs

1. Jye Gray 2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 3. Euan Aitken 4. Campbell Graham 5. Isaiah Tass 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Tallis Dunan 13. Jai Arrow

Interchange: 14. Liam Le Blanc 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Davvy Moale 17. Fletcher Myers

Reserves: 18. Thomas Fletcher 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Joshua Schuster 21. Salesi Ataata 22. Nazareth Taua

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell

Interchange: 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Adam Elliott 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Thomas Cant 19. Tyson Gamble 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Matthew Arthur 22. Tyrone Thompson

WARRIORS v COWBOYS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Suncorp Stadium

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Rocco Berry 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Adam Pompey 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. Marata Niukore 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Leka Halasima 13. Erin Clark

Interchange:14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Bunty Afoa

Reserves: 18. Tanner Stowers-Smith 20. Samuel Healey 21. Tanah Boyd 22. Eddie Ieremia 23. Edward Kosi

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Interchange: 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess

Reserves: 18. Zac Laybutt 19. Karl Lawton 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Kaiden Lahrs 22. Thomas Mikaele

WESTS TIGERS v DRAGONS

Saturday, 7:45pm, Suncorp Stadium

Wests Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Brent Naden 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal

Interchange: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu

Reserves: 18. Tony Sukkar 19. Heath Mason 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Solomona Faataape 22. Tristan Hope

Dragons

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Corey Allan 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lykhan King-Tongia 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Dylan Egan 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart

Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Jack de Belin 16. Emre Guler 17. Luciano Leilua

Reserves: 18. Loko Jnr Pasi

TITANS v BULLDOGS

Sunday, 1:50pm, Suncorp Stadium

Titans

1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Tom Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Interchange: 14. Klese Haas 15. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 16 Arama Hau 17. Josiah Pahulu

Reserves: 18. Tony Francis 19. David Fifita 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 21. Tukimihia Simpkins 22. Allan Fitzgibbon

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Bailey Howard 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon

Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Blake Taaffe

Reserves: 19. Lipoi Hopoi 20. Blake Wilson 21. Jake Turpin 22. Luke Smith 23. Drew Hutchison

PANTHERS v BRONCOS

Sunday, 4:05pm, Suncorp Stadium

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Thomas Jenkins 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Luke Sommerton 10. Liam Henry 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Trent Toelau 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Lindsay Smith 17. Mavrik Geyer

Reserves: 18. Daine Laurie 19. Luron Patea 20. Casey McLean 21. Billy Scott 22. Jack Cole

Broncos

1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Xavier Willison 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington

Interchange: 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Brendan Piakura 17. Jaiyden Hunt

Reserves: 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Martin Taupau 20. Josiah Karapani 21. Jock Madden 22. Benjamin Te Kura

STORM v RAIDERS

Sunday, 6:25pm, Suncorp Stadium

Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Sualauvi Faalogo 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Interchange: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Joe Chan

Reserves: 18. Ativalu Lisati 19. Lazarus Vaalepu 20. Kane Bradley 21. Keagan Russell-Smith 22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies

Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Zac Hosking 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Manaia Waitere 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Trey Mooney 22. Danny Levi

Originally published as NRL teams round 9, Magic Round, SuperCoach analysis: Des Hasler axes David Fifita