2024 NRL scouting report: Gold Coast Titans spine doubts, burning issues, long-term contracts

The Titans are brimming with talent, but have one major issue and very little salary cap space to address it. It shapes as a significant challenge for new coach Des Hasler.

Des Hasler has a job ahead of him at the Titans.

A new dawn is emerging on the Gold Coast as Des Hasler takes over the Titans.

After back-to-back bottom-four finishes under former coach Justin Holbrook, Hasler takes charge of a Titans team brimming with talent.

However, questions remain about the makeup of their spine and its ability to take advantage of one of the most fearsome packs in the league.

Can the two-time NRL premiership-winning coach transform the Titans into title contenders following 16 years of mostly mediocrity?

We are about to find out.

2023 RICH 100 REPS: David Fifita (12, $1m), Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (22, $900,000), Moeaki Fotuaika (44, $750,000), AJ Brimson (54, $700,000), Isaac Liu (100, $550,000)

Key forwards Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and David Fifita. Picture: NRL Images

FREE AGENCY WRAP AND RATING

Des Hasler walks into a club with a ready-made roster and little room to move.

The Titans have already filled their top-30 squad and have six players on their development list, giving Hasler little flexibility to make changes for the 2024 season unless he can release contracted players.

They have got 13 players signed on long-term deals until at least 2026, including Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, David Fifita, Moeaki Fotuaika, AJ Brimson, Jayden Campbell, Beau Fermor and Alofiana Khan-Pereira.

The Titans have a stable future when it comes to their squad but they are missing one big piece of the puzzle – depth in the halves.

RATING: B

The Titans have bolstered their forward stocks with the addition of Keenan Palasia from the Broncos. Picture: NRL Photos

Des Hasler hasn’t seen out his past two contracts as head coach. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

COACH STATUS AND SAFETY RATING: DES HASLER (2026)

Hasler is one of the safest coaches in the NRL as he embarks on his first season in charge of the Titans.

A two-time NRL premiership-winner, and five-time grand finalist, Hasler has the runs on the board and will be given time to put his mark on the Gold Coast.

A finals berth isn’t out of the question with the quality players Hasler is inheriting and it’s hard to see him being sacked if the Titans miss the playoffs.

SAFETY RATING: A

LIKELY DEBUTANTS

Josiah Pahulu, Tony Francis: The Titans blooded plenty of new talent in the NRL last season like Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui, Keano Kini, Jacob Alick, Tom Weaver and freakish tryscorer Alofiana Khan-Pereira.

Don’t expect to see Hasler hand out so many NRL debuts next season given the bulk of his squad has already tasted the top grade.

Former Ipswich State High captain Josiah Pahulu is a promising front-row prospect while Tony Francis bagged a hat-trick on the win for Burleigh in the Hostplus Cup grand final.

Josiah Pahulu is a talented prop. Picture: NRL Photos

Tony Francis can find the try line. Picture: NRL Photos

WHO TAKES THE NEXT STEP

Tanah Boyd, AJ Brimson, Jayden Campbell, Sam Verrills: The Titans need a number of players to find another gear in 2024.

Halfback Tanah Boyd is under pressure to prove he is the answer in the No.7 jersey.

The dynamic AJ Brimson needs to stay on the field and contribute consistently, whether that’s at fullback, centre, five-eighth or off the bench.

The time has come for Hasler to find Jayden Campbell a permanent home in the starting 13.

Hooker Sam Verrills needs to play more than 15 games in the season.

Burning issues

1. Do Titans need a spine realignment?

The Titans have the forward pack to take them deep in the premiership race, but question marks remain over their spine.

Coach Des Hasler has some big decisions to make on what his playmaking set up looks like.

Will he pick Jayden Campbell, AJ Brimson or Keano Kini at fullback?

Is Tanah Boyd or Tom Weaver the long-term answer at halfback? What happens at five-eighth if Kieran Foran, who is likely entering his last season, is not available?

Can Sam Verrills stay on the field?

There’s no point having a gun forward pack if the spine can’t get the job done.

The Titans desperately need to improve their defence. Picture: Dave Rowland/Getty Images

2. How do they learn to handle defensive pressure?

The Titans’ defence was shocking under former coach Justin Holbrook and that’s what ultimately cost him his job.

While they have had little trouble scoring points, the Titans crumbled under any sort of defensive pressure.

Hasler’s first job is to turn the Titans into a more resilient team without the ball and improve their defensive structures.

3. Contract tightrope could prove a distraction

The Titans have developed an obsession with long-term contracts and time will tell if that’s the right strategy.

They have 13 players signed until 2026 while captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui recently secured a 10-year contract extension. The same type of deal hasn’t worked for the Cowboys when it comes to a Dally M Medal winner in Jason Taumalolo.

The Titans have gone heavy on their forward pack, spending close to $3 million a season on David Fifita, Moeaki Fotuaika and Fa’asuamaleaui, leaving little to bolster the all-important halves.

CRYSTAL BALL

Hasler will put this young Titans team through the toughest pre-season they’ve ever experienced and will be quick to figure out who the pretenders are at the club.

He will improve Gold Coast’s defence and the forwards will take them a long way, but question marks around the halves means the Titans won’t challenge for the premiership in 2024. They are looking at a seventh-10th finish on the ladder.

FINISH THE LAST FIVE YEARS

2023: 14th

2022: 13th

2021: 8th (eliminated in first week of finals)

2020: 9th

2019: 16th

2024 TAB ODDS

Premiership: $34

Minor premiership: $51

Top four: $5

Top eight: $2.50

To miss the top eight: $1.47

To miss the top four: $1.13

Most losses: $17

Originally published as 2024 NRL scouting report: Gold Coast Titans spine doubts, burning issues, long-term contracts