The Gold Coast Titans are gambling on a rookie coach to drag them up the NRL ladder, appointing Sharks assistant Josh Hannay to replace Des Hasler after several months canvassing options on the coaching market.
Hannay has long been considered one of the next assistants ready to make the leap into the NRL and has been sounded out several times over the last few years as clubs rotated their helmsmen.
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The 45-year-old knocked back several clubs over the seasons, including the Parramatta Eels.
With the wooden spoon seemingly certain, should the Titans not be able to catch the equally hapless Newcastle Knights, the club pulled the trigger on dumping Des; he will see out his tenure on the Gold Coast in the last two matches to be played in 2025, when the Titans play Queensland rivals Redcliffe and then welcome the Wests Tigers to Cbus Super Stadium.
Hannay, meanwhile, still has a campaign to wrap up with the Cronulla Sharks, who head into the last two weeks of the season in sixth place. While finals is basically confirmed, the Sharks could still climb as high as fourth.
The incoming Titans boss will begin a few management duties early, though – most pressingly, in the retention field, where he has to decide whether to let superstar forwards Tino Fa’asuamlaei and David Fifita walk out the door before he’s even run a single training.
Helping matters there is the fact that Hannay has worked with Tino at the Maroons for Origin.
So too Fifita, though he’s not been selected for his state for some years now.
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Hannay’s Queensland connection was one of the biggest reasons why the Titans decided to bring him on board with a three-year deal; they believe he can bring superstar talent to the Gold Coast thanks to those state relationships.
Top-level players who’ve worked with him have also praised his clear communication and authority.
The move also means the Titans have paid out Hasler – he had one more year to run on his coaching deal with the Gold Coast, but will now likely retire.
Titans chairman Dennis Watt acknowledged Hasler’s time with the club on Monday morning, calling him an icon of the game. “His deep knowledge, passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence have been evident every day,” he said. “While this season hasn’t gone as planned, Des has conducted himself with the dignity and class that has defined his entire career.”
Hasler’s second-last game with the club will be on Sunday afternoon at Suncorp Stadium.
