‘A lot of frustrations’: Why Maroons enforcer ended Bears’ speculation

Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui says he never explored options away from the Gold Coast, despite suggestions he could reunite with his former Australian Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga at the Perth Bears.

Coach Josh Hannay secured the biggest win of his brief coaching tenure on the Glitter Strip, announcing Fa’asuamaleaui would commit to the entirety of his deal through to the end of 2030.

The future of the Queensland Maroons hardman and Gold Coast skipper has been subject to scrutiny ever since it was revealed he had clauses in his lucrative 10-year contract that enabled him to explore the open market for the 2027 season.

Fa’asuamaleaui was said to be assessing how Hannay’s arrival at Parkwood would change the side’s fortunes, having played just one finals game since his arrival in 2021 on the back of winning an NRL premiership with the Melbourne Storm the year before.

Those failings left him vulnerable to a recruitment raid from the likes of the incoming Bears, but Fa’asuamaleaui confirmed he did not entertain other offers.

While it was thought his decision would come during the 2026 season, he said the cultural changes Hannay had implemented in the preseason had been enough for him to commit.

“I didn’t really adventure, I was on the market obviously, but I didn’t look anywhere else, to be honest. I kind of just wanted to get away from football and relax in the off-season,” Fa’asuamaleaui said.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Mal – he gave me my Aussie jersey, too. There were a lot of frustrations at the time, and definitely the light at the end of the tunnel did flicker at times.

“But every time I really looked into it, I definitely didn’t want to leave this place. I came here for a reason, I want to still change that around, and with Josh at the helm it’s definitely helped that a lot.

“I think the first few weeks I kind of knew what I was going to do, but I wasn’t on the field – I was in rehab. But just to see it all put together has been so good.”

Overturning the Titans’ culture had been a key focus for Hannay, and he has been determined to show the squad and wider Gold Coast community there was a brighter future ahead.

Hannay said he had always been confident Fa’asuamaleaui would remain.

He said one of the main reasons he sought the Titans’ head coaching job once Des Hasler and the club parted ways was to work with Fa’asuamaleaui, having forged a close rapport with the 25-year-old during their shared time with the Maroons.

“The number one motivation for him over the next few years is to bring success to this club. I know he cherishes his Maroons and Australian jumpers, but I think what’s most important for him moving forward is to see this club at the top,” Hannay said.

“He’s been here through some hard times, let’s face it, but that hasn’t deterred him or scared him away. I’ve known him for about 10 years now when he was a teenager, and for me, what’s always struck me about Tino is he’s got a huge heart.

“He wears his heart on his sleeve, I love that about him, and he’s one of the reasons I took up the opportunity to come to this club – to work with him, and I’m glad it’s confirmed now that I get to do that for the foreseeable future.”

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