Gold Coast Titans’ new head coach, Josh Hannay, has shed light on the pivotal strategies that secured the loyalty of star players Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Cooper Bai, following a challenging season for the club. This marks Hannay’s inaugural season at the helm of an NRL team, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his previous roles as assistant and interim coach with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the North Queensland Cowboys.
Even with Round One still on the horizon, Hannay has already demonstrated his promising leadership. This was evident in the Titans’ convincing trial match victory over the Dolphins, and now, critically, with the successful retention of the club’s burgeoning talent.
Securing the Forward Pack: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s Long-Term Commitment
The re-signing of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, the club’s captain, through to the end of 2030 is a significant coup for the Titans. This agreement not only guarantees the captain’s presence but also provides crucial stability to the forward pack. This stability is particularly noteworthy given the recent movement in the middle-forward market, amplified by the Brisbane Broncos’ acquisition of Payne Haas.
Hannay acknowledged the surprise surrounding Haas’s signing, stating, “I think that has shocked all of us.” He then elaborated on the importance of Fa’asuamaleaui’s decision in light of this development: “To look at (Tino re-signing) in that context, the waters might have become murkier if Tino was still on the market, given what’s just happened with Payne. The timing for us was perfect.” This highlights the strategic advantage the Titans gained by securing their captain before the full ripple effects of the Haas deal settled.
The Future of the Backline: Cooper Bai’s Continued Growth
Young sensation Cooper Bai has also pledged his future to the Gold Coast Titans, extending his contract until the end of 2027. This commitment comes despite significant interest from other clubs and Bai reportedly coming close to exploring an opportunity with the PNG Chiefs.
As a Gold Coast product, Bai was also a highly sought-after prospect by the Melbourne Storm, a club with historical ties to his father. However, the young flyer ultimately chose to remain with the club where he began his junior career, a testament to the environment being cultivated on the Gold Coast.
“The sky is the limit for Cooper, and we’re excited to see him continue to grow as a player after his debut season,” Hannay shared, expressing his confidence in Bai’s potential.
A Culture of Belonging: The Driving Force Behind Retention
Hannay attributes the success in retaining both Fa’asuamaleaui and Bai to the club’s internal standards and strategic direction, rather than solely focusing on financial incentives. He emphasised a cultural shift within the Gold Coast Titans as the primary catalyst for these decisions.
“The thing I said from day one here—and this relates to Cooper re-signing but also Tino (Fa’asuamaleaui)—is that we needed to create an environment and program here where players felt like they wanted to be part of it,” Hannay explained. He believes that while coaches set the vision, it is the players who ultimately bring it to fruition.
“I think once Cooper was able to spend enough time here and see the kind of environment we were creating, ultimately it became one he didn’t want to leave,” Hannay added. This sentiment underscores the power of a positive and engaging team culture in retaining top talent. “That speaks volumes for what we’ve been able to do here in a short space of time,” he concluded, highlighting the rapid progress made in shaping a desirable environment for the players. This focus on culture and player well-being appears to be the bedrock of Hannay’s strategy for the Gold Coast Titans’ future success.
