Titans hit back over $40k bonus as rising star seeks release

There is trouble brewing at the Titans, with a young gun seeking a release reportedly over a bonus the NRL club failed to pay.

Josiah Pahulu of the Titans has requested an immediate release.

The Gold Coast Titans have reportedly denied young gun Josiah Pahulu’s release request to join the Bulldogs, stating they “won’t be bullied” into letting the prop walk.

Pahulu and the Titans are in the midst of a dispute over an alleged $40,000 bonus payment stipulated in the 20-year-old’s contract that he would have received had he played in 20 NRL games in 2024.

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Pahulu played in 19 games before being rested for the final match of the season. Of course, had he appeared in that, he would have collected the bonus.

This has reportedly miffed the young prop, who is looking to walk away from his Titans deal a season early to join the Bulldogs.

Josiah Pahulu of the Titans has requested an immediate release.

Pahulu is contracted with the Titans until the end of 2025. According to AAP, the Titans have said they won’t be “bullied” into letting the 20-year-old leave his deal early.

Titans chief executive Steve Mitchell wasn’t willing to publicly comment on the particulars of Pahulu’s contract.

“Our club policy is that we don’t comment publicly on recruitment and retention, which applies to this case like all others,” Mitchell said.

Pahulu was impressive in his rookie season, proving a handful for opposition sides during his 19 appearances.

However, with captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui returning from a knee injury, former Eel Reagan Campbell-Gillard signing a three-year deal, Klese Haas re-signing and the likes of Moeaki Fotuaika and David Fifita automatic starters, the Titans’ forward room is pretty full.

Yet, despite the logjam, the Titans won’t budge on releasing Pahulu, who won the club’s 2024 rookie of the year award.

Despite the contract saga, Pahulu has been training with his Titans teammates this off-season.

“He was super for us (this year). He was amazing,” Titans playmaker Kieran Foran told AAP.

“I am not too sure what is happening on his contract side of things.

“That will work itself out but he is training at the moment and he looks like he is ripping in and we are happy to have him.”

Originally published as Titans hit back over $40k bonus as rising star seeks release