‘We have to question everything’: Titans skipper calls for accountability post Hasler sacking

Gold Coast Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamealui has called for greater accountability at the embattled club following the sacking of coach Des Hasler, declaring there had been only “two people kept accountable, and no one else” across a dismal four-year stretch for the NRL side.

Speaking for the first time since Josh Hannay was unveiled as Hasler’s successor, Fa’asuamaleaui said the Queensland Maroons assistant was the man to keep him on the Glitter Strip for the long haul, as contract clauses in his 10-year deal effectively make him a free agent.

The star enforcer will be free to negotiate with rival outfits from November 1 for the 2027 campaign.

But while Fa’asuamaleaui confirmed his desire was to spearhead the Titans out of the doldrums, he believed too much ownership had been placed on coaches for their time in the finals’ wilderness following Justin Holbrook’s 2023 mid-season sacking to make way for Hasler.

“If the team or a lot of things aren’t performing or getting the results someone has to be held accountable,” Fa’asuamaleaui said, with the Titans not appearing in finals since 2021.

“But talking about accountability, both times our coaches are the only ones who have been kept accountable and there’s got to be more [than] that. I think we have to look at everything going forward, I think we have to question everything. Are we making the right decisions?

“We’re looking at everyone, and I’m not saying there needs to be changes, but I’m just saying that both times there’s been two people kept accountable and no one else.

“Everyone from the players from the top to bottom needs to be looked at and make sure we’re being held to account and really asking the right questions of why they’re here.”

Fa’asuamaleaui and fellow high-profile stars Jayden Campbell and David Fifita can hit the open market this year, but the captain has insisted he is not considering his future yet.

He revealed club owners had delivered him their vision towards success, while Hannay had spoken with him on Tuesday.

“I’m signed here – I don’t have to make a decision until next year,” he said.

“I’m not worried about it, I know the media is worried about what I’m doing, but I’m here at the Titans, and I’m going to put my best foot forward to change things around here.

“They [the club] have shown me that [plan] which is good, it’s something I really wanted and everyone in the club wants and all the players want that road map to get to where we want to get, and that’s winning.

“Things haven’t gone to plan, but there’s definitely things in place to get us to that.”

While Faa’asuamaleaui played a key role in Fifita rejecting a contract with the Sydney Roosters last year, only to endure an injury-riddled 2025, which has kept him to just eight games, the former said he would not be getting in the marquee man’s ear about his next move.

Titans chief executive Steve Mitchell also confirmed Fifita was “in a position where he can talk to other clubs” for 2026, with South Sydney reportedly a likely landing spot.

“I’m leaving that to him, I’m there as a mate to support him mentally. He hasn’t had the year he’s wanted, he’s had a lot of ups and downs,” Fa’asuamaleaaui said.

“He was going through a lot of hard times, and I’m not there to tell him what to do. I’m there to support him and be the shoulder to lean on.

“Dave will make a decision for what’s best for him and his family and him mentally, but I support him whatever ways he decides to go.”

Mitchell confirmed this week the club would conduct a comprehensive review of their roster and turn to recruitment to balance their squad.

There is a view the Gold Coast have become too invested in their forward pack, with Fa’asuamaleaui joined by fellow representative stars Moeaki Fotuaika, Beau Fermor, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Fifita in the engine room.

Meanwhile, their sole experienced half, Kieran Foran, will retire at season’s end, which is set to end with the wooden spoon.

“I think we’ve got a great squad, but obviously with the results we’ve been getting we can’t expect a different result with the same squad we’ve got,” Fotuaika admitted.

“Of course there’s going to be changes, you can’t expect a different result doing the same things, so I’m expecting some different changes in the future.”

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