LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Des Hasler's future with the Gold Coast Titans may be more secure than initially thought, following a notable dressing room incident that could have influenced the club's management. Fans have recently been calling for the Titans to exhibit more competitive spirit, especially after their recent performances, including a victory against the Warriors and a contentious loss to the Panthers.
Despite sitting at the bottom of the standings with only 16 points, Hasler's team has shown signs of improvement, having scored 50 points in their last two NRL games. This change in performance has coincided with an intense post-match reprimand from Hasler after their defeat to the Wests Tigers, which was captured on camera and widely shared online. The footage showed a furious Hasler summoning players from the showers to deliver what seemed to be a passionate and intense message.
Since that incident, the team has demonstrated a notable turnaround in performance. Channel Nine reporter Danny Weidler speculated that earlier reports of Hasler's impending exit may not be entirely accurate. He noted that while the Titans' management may still consider ending Hasler's tenure at season's end, the coach is gradually winning back their favor. "I still wouldn't put my house on him coaching next year at the Titans, but from what I was told, that spray he gave on camera impressed people," Weidler said on Triple M Radio. He added, "They have played OK the last couple of weeks... apparently it showed the passion. I still think there will be a conversation at the end of the year, see where things are at. But I think they want to treat Des with respect."
Additionally, speculation surrounds Hasler's future in light of comments from Broncos legend Corey Parker, who questioned whether the Titans should continue with Hasler if rumors of his retirement were true. There are ongoing discussions about whether Hasler will indeed conclude his coaching career following the 2025 NRL season, ahead of his contract's expiry in 2026.