Gold Coast’s rookie of the year Josiah Pahulu has requested an immediate release from the Titans to join a rival club in 2025 after becoming frustrated at missing out on a bonus payment.
The 20-year-old front-rower, who is contracted at the Titans next season, has approached coach Des Hasler and the club seeking an immediate exit, with Canterbury declaring their interest in luring him to Belmore. The Titans intend to hold him to his contract.
At the heart of Pahulu’s frustration is his treatment at the end of the 2024 season in relation to a potential bonus payment. Pahulu’s contract states that he was entitled to a bonus of up to $50,000 if he played 20 NRL games in 2024.
Pahulu played 19 games for the club last season but was rested for the final game of the year against the Panthers, despite having played in 17 of the club’s previous 18 matches.
The decision to rest Pahulu for the match against the premiers denied the young prop his chance to pocket a significant addition to his $200,000 salary. The bonus payment would have been included in the Titans’ salary cap had the clause been triggered. The club insists nothing untoward occurred.
The incident, however, has left a sour taste in the mouth of the New Zealand-born forward, prompting him to seek expressions of interest for the 2026 season despite the Titans’ desire to extend his deal. The Titans were contacted but declined to comment.
Josiah Pahulu during a Gold Coast Titans NRL training session.Credit: Getty Images
The Titans are now willing to pay the value of his bonus payment in the form of an upgrade to his 2025 contract if he agrees to an extension with the Queensland-based club, but that offer hasn’t been enough to alleviate Pahulu’s concerns.
Pahulu and his management met with Hasler and Titans management last week to express their feelings and request permission to leave the club. They don’t have a formal offer on the table but the Bulldogs have expressed their interest in pursuing his services once they have a clear picture of where Pahulu’s immediate future lies.
The Bulldogs have met with Pahulu and are keen to move forward with negotiations for 2026. Despite Pahulu’s request to leave, the Titans are digging in their heels and intend to hold the player to his contract.
The Bulldogs are also in the market for Newcastle prop Leo Thompson, who has a significant offer on the table from his incumbent club despite interest from Canterbury, Canberra, Parramatta and the Dolphins.
Pahulu made his NRL debut for the Titans in round five after joining the club the previous year.
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