2023 Squad, Signings and Rumours Thread
- Thread starter Hail Sezer
- Start date
psmitty
QLD Cup
Yes Please
RavShamrock
First Grader
no way in the friggin world
Titanic
Immortal
Can play but does he fit our dna?
The Birdman
First Grader
JAC is an idiot and an expensive winger who will fade quickly as his pace declines. No thanks.
Whats Doing
Rep Player
Tony Francis extends with the Titans for a further 2 years and will be in the top 30 from next year. Good resigning on top of Alick
Appsy
Junior
Is our top 30 now filled?
Hail Sezer
Moderator
Happy with this one.
He’s only 20, has plenty of development in him and brings a good dynamic to the OB room.
Had a bit of interest from other clubs too. Thought he was all but gone
Cowabunga
Rep Player
https://www.titans.com.au/news/2023/...-to-top-squad/
Looks like R.Foran has been extended till 25 with Pahulu and Iszac deals the same I think, No Liyou is a bit concerning/odd. The Foran deal is pretty surprising tbh, He must be impressing the right people at training.
Looks like R.Foran has been extended till 25 with Pahulu and Iszac deals the same I think, No Liyou is a bit concerning/odd. The Foran deal is pretty surprising tbh, He must be impressing the right people at training.
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Hail Sezer
Moderator
These signings were done ages ago mate, they’ve just re announced them now for some off-season content. Pretty sure Forans deal was always limited weeks full time (I.e. full time t&t) for ‘23, then top 30 for ‘24 & 25.
Another poster on here (sorry I’ve forgotten who) suggested Liyou has been restructured to Dev for ‘24 which could be correct
Tbh I’m a bit concerned about the lack of experience we have filling a lot of our top 30 spots. Id almost bet we’d have the smallest top 30 in the nrl too
Cowabunga
Rep Player
Cheers HS, Knew he was for next year just didn't know it was for 25 to. He hasn't played in Q cup and couldn't make a Tweed team that was playing a winger in the 2nd row for a decent chunk of the year, He'd have to be the smallest 2nd rower in an NRL squad right now and maybe smallest centre haha. If Liyous contract was only one year that'd be probably easier to change up.
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Titanic
Immortal
Over the years we’ve had imported teams, local teams, old teams, big teams, young teams and small teams but no winning teams … there’s a lot of expectation on the Des factor,
Whats Doing
Rep Player
I do have concerns that we are probably the smallest and one of the more inexperienced teams in the comp.
Whats Doing
Rep Player
Courier Mail Article
Mal Meninga wants to remain at Gold Coast Titans as new coach Des Hasler overhauls club
Immortal Mal Meninga was tipped to exit the Titans after he was left out of the decision to sack Justin Holbrook. Now he wants to be part of Des Hasler’s Gold Coast revolution.
Cyclone Des has made landfall on the Gold Coast and Immortal Mal Meninga wants to extend his stay at the Titans as the NRL battlers chase premiership success.
‘Desneyland’ is coming to life at the Titans following the arrival of new coach Des Hasler ahead of his highly-anticipated Gold Coast takeover.
Hasler doesn’t officially start his three-year tenure as Titans coach until November, but the two-time NRL premiership-winner has moved to the Gold Coast and already made significant changes at the club’s Parkwood headquarters.
Hasler has signed a new assistant coach in Michael Monaghan and the construction of ‘Des’ Dojo’ – a sweltering wrestling tent – has put Titans players on notice that they are about to experience their toughest ever pre-season.
The playing group is also on notice with the likes of halfback Tanah Boyd facing an uncertain future as Hasler weighs up making changes to a misfiring team.
Hasler’s overhaul has Titans high performance consultant and Kangaroos coach Meninga excited about what the future holds for the club following Justin Holbrook’s ultimately failed four-season stint as head coach.
Meninga, 63, was frozen out of the clandestine decision to axe Holbrook and sign Hasler, prompting speculation he would sever ties with the Titans following five years with the club.
But he is in talks with the Titans about extending his contract, which expires next month, and said Hasler would bring a hard edge to the Gold Coast.
“My Titans contract expires soon but I’m in chats with the club and it’s been positive. I would like to keep contributing and if I can, I will,” Meninga said.
“I’d like to think I’ve played a role in the evolution of the Titans. There’s been a lot of people behind the scenes at the Titans who believe in the process we are going through.
“Like anything in life, you are part of the beginning and you want to be part of the project when it starts to generate success.
“Des will do a good job at the Titans. He is a great coach, he is a very good student of the game and he has great rapport with the players.
“He holds everyone accountable and he is a hard task master, but I think that’s what you need in this game if you want to succeed and win premierships.”
Hasler, 62, has kept a low profile since his appointment and Holbrook’s brutal sacking in June and is embroiled in a legal spat with Manly following his dismissal last year.
But he has been working feverishly behind the scenes to ensure he hits the ground running in his debut season with the Titans.
The five-time NRL grand final coach has been involved in high-level talks involving the Titans and few decisions have been made in the past four months without Hasler’s input.
Hasler conducted post-season player reviews and has made recruitment and retention decisions – including the retention of superstar free agents Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and David Fifita – as he prepares to launch his first Titans pre-season on November 6.
While he has shown faith in most of Holbrook’s coaching staff, Hasler has brought in new medical experts and long-time Manly assistant Monaghan.
Sea Eagles captain Daly Cherry-Evans won the 2011 NRL premiership under Hasler and said he would transform the Titans from back-to-back bottom four finishers to contenders.
“He is just what the Titans need,” Cherry-Evans said.
“They have a talented young playing group and I just think he will really steel them, he will have them physically ready to go and emotionally ready to play every game.
“Des will bring a hard edge. I don’t know what’s happening in the four walls of the Titans but what I do know is what Des will bring and he will harden everyone.
“On a weekly basis, there will be no excuses to not come at your best because he gives you every chance to be at your best.
“I love Des’s style. I need to be told where I can get better and I enjoy the education Des provides.
“I don’t like people that aren’t upfront. Des used to hit me between the eyes and that’s why we connected.
“There’s no bull**** with Des, he just says ‘you have to be better here, you have to do this and this is how you do it’.
“He not only challenged me, but he helps you with answers and that’s what he will do for Titans players.”
While he made the Titans a decent attacking team, Holbrook lacked a hard edge and there was a feeling at the club that accountability was missing following a string of poor performances.
Cherry-Evans warned Titans players they were in for a tough summer and there was more to Hasler than the ‘Mad Scientist’ image he portrays.
“It’s going to be a tough pre-season,” he said.
“No pre-season is easy but Des will do things with his staff that will challenge you physically. Once you’re challenged physically there is a mental challenge as well.
“He always had us ready for the season ahead. He did a fantastic job during pre-seasons to challenge you and be better, physically and mentally. The Titans will be in good shape come round one.
“Des definitely has a soft side to him, of course he does. Some NRL coaches play the game through the media and Des is no different.
“He loves his players and will do whatever he can to protect them. Sometimes that means he looks a bit crazy on TV.
“I can promise you it’s coming from a good place and he’ll be looking after the boys, that’s for sure.”
Hasler is finalising his move to the Glitter Strip and has been commuting between the Gold Coast and Sydney in recent weeks.
But he has already made his mark on the Titans and ‘Desneyland’ is taking shape.
“He’s 100 miles an hour, he is a driven individual,” Titans chairman Dennis Watt said.
“He has moved up now, they’ve got themselves a place at Burleigh so we’re starting to see more and more of him.
“There’s a fair bit of building work going on at Parkwood at the moment. When the players, coaches and staff come back, it will be a refreshed environment which is always good when you’re about to start a new off-season.
“All the planning is well underway, I’m sure every last detail.”
Mal Meninga wants to remain at Gold Coast Titans as new coach Des Hasler overhauls club
Immortal Mal Meninga was tipped to exit the Titans after he was left out of the decision to sack Justin Holbrook. Now he wants to be part of Des Hasler’s Gold Coast revolution.
Cyclone Des has made landfall on the Gold Coast and Immortal Mal Meninga wants to extend his stay at the Titans as the NRL battlers chase premiership success.
‘Desneyland’ is coming to life at the Titans following the arrival of new coach Des Hasler ahead of his highly-anticipated Gold Coast takeover.
Hasler doesn’t officially start his three-year tenure as Titans coach until November, but the two-time NRL premiership-winner has moved to the Gold Coast and already made significant changes at the club’s Parkwood headquarters.
Hasler has signed a new assistant coach in Michael Monaghan and the construction of ‘Des’ Dojo’ – a sweltering wrestling tent – has put Titans players on notice that they are about to experience their toughest ever pre-season.
The playing group is also on notice with the likes of halfback Tanah Boyd facing an uncertain future as Hasler weighs up making changes to a misfiring team.
Hasler’s overhaul has Titans high performance consultant and Kangaroos coach Meninga excited about what the future holds for the club following Justin Holbrook’s ultimately failed four-season stint as head coach.
Meninga, 63, was frozen out of the clandestine decision to axe Holbrook and sign Hasler, prompting speculation he would sever ties with the Titans following five years with the club.
But he is in talks with the Titans about extending his contract, which expires next month, and said Hasler would bring a hard edge to the Gold Coast.
“My Titans contract expires soon but I’m in chats with the club and it’s been positive. I would like to keep contributing and if I can, I will,” Meninga said.
“I’d like to think I’ve played a role in the evolution of the Titans. There’s been a lot of people behind the scenes at the Titans who believe in the process we are going through.
“Like anything in life, you are part of the beginning and you want to be part of the project when it starts to generate success.
“Des will do a good job at the Titans. He is a great coach, he is a very good student of the game and he has great rapport with the players.
“He holds everyone accountable and he is a hard task master, but I think that’s what you need in this game if you want to succeed and win premierships.”
Hasler, 62, has kept a low profile since his appointment and Holbrook’s brutal sacking in June and is embroiled in a legal spat with Manly following his dismissal last year.
But he has been working feverishly behind the scenes to ensure he hits the ground running in his debut season with the Titans.
The five-time NRL grand final coach has been involved in high-level talks involving the Titans and few decisions have been made in the past four months without Hasler’s input.
Hasler conducted post-season player reviews and has made recruitment and retention decisions – including the retention of superstar free agents Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and David Fifita – as he prepares to launch his first Titans pre-season on November 6.
While he has shown faith in most of Holbrook’s coaching staff, Hasler has brought in new medical experts and long-time Manly assistant Monaghan.
Sea Eagles captain Daly Cherry-Evans won the 2011 NRL premiership under Hasler and said he would transform the Titans from back-to-back bottom four finishers to contenders.
“He is just what the Titans need,” Cherry-Evans said.
“They have a talented young playing group and I just think he will really steel them, he will have them physically ready to go and emotionally ready to play every game.
“Des will bring a hard edge. I don’t know what’s happening in the four walls of the Titans but what I do know is what Des will bring and he will harden everyone.
“On a weekly basis, there will be no excuses to not come at your best because he gives you every chance to be at your best.
“I love Des’s style. I need to be told where I can get better and I enjoy the education Des provides.
“I don’t like people that aren’t upfront. Des used to hit me between the eyes and that’s why we connected.
“There’s no bull**** with Des, he just says ‘you have to be better here, you have to do this and this is how you do it’.
“He not only challenged me, but he helps you with answers and that’s what he will do for Titans players.”
While he made the Titans a decent attacking team, Holbrook lacked a hard edge and there was a feeling at the club that accountability was missing following a string of poor performances.
Cherry-Evans warned Titans players they were in for a tough summer and there was more to Hasler than the ‘Mad Scientist’ image he portrays.
“It’s going to be a tough pre-season,” he said.
“No pre-season is easy but Des will do things with his staff that will challenge you physically. Once you’re challenged physically there is a mental challenge as well.
“He always had us ready for the season ahead. He did a fantastic job during pre-seasons to challenge you and be better, physically and mentally. The Titans will be in good shape come round one.
“Des definitely has a soft side to him, of course he does. Some NRL coaches play the game through the media and Des is no different.
“He loves his players and will do whatever he can to protect them. Sometimes that means he looks a bit crazy on TV.
“I can promise you it’s coming from a good place and he’ll be looking after the boys, that’s for sure.”
Hasler is finalising his move to the Glitter Strip and has been commuting between the Gold Coast and Sydney in recent weeks.
But he has already made his mark on the Titans and ‘Desneyland’ is taking shape.
“He’s 100 miles an hour, he is a driven individual,” Titans chairman Dennis Watt said.
“He has moved up now, they’ve got themselves a place at Burleigh so we’re starting to see more and more of him.
“There’s a fair bit of building work going on at Parkwood at the moment. When the players, coaches and staff come back, it will be a refreshed environment which is always good when you’re about to start a new off-season.
“All the planning is well underway, I’m sure every last detail.”
5 Year Contract
Rep Player
Nah sorry Mal. Cry, *****, Moan about the titans for 2/3 of the season and how they treated you and now no better offers are on the table you are now happy to re sign with us. I understand the positive optics of having mal on staff for schools and players alike but if we are fair dinkum we need to move away from the status quo. If Des wants to keep Mal and sees a reason for it then so he it otherwise tell your story walking Mal
Cowabunga
Rep Player
He does a lot behind the scenes and has helped with recruitment/keeping guys here heavily, We'd be way worse off if he wasn't here the last 4 years. He's a bonus, There's no reason to get rid of him imo unless the owners be cheap, He wants to be here and works in the shadows. I'd be surprised if we don't keep him in a similar role, He said some dumb stuff but he quickly took it back.
That article reads like he's re-signed or close to it. If we walk into a recruitment with Des and Mal on the same page, That's a pretty convincing duo recruiting. The Mal stuff is so overblown when Holbrook got fired, He was on radio an hour or so after it happened and was flustered, When he went on Fox on the Saturday he was fully behind the move.
The club should've done it a couple hours later knowing he was going on SEN, All of us were surprised to.
That article reads like he's re-signed or close to it. If we walk into a recruitment with Des and Mal on the same page, That's a pretty convincing duo recruiting. The Mal stuff is so overblown when Holbrook got fired, He was on radio an hour or so after it happened and was flustered, When he went on Fox on the Saturday he was fully behind the move.
The club should've done it a couple hours later knowing he was going on SEN, All of us were surprised to.
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Cowabunga
Rep Player
About time to start a 2024 one of these eventually? Most of the talks have all been about 2024.