LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Andrew Johns has voiced his support for struggling Titans coach Des Hasler, asserting that the team's failure isn't due to the coach but rather the absence of a strong halfback.
Currently, the Titans sit at 16th on the NRL ladder with only two wins from eight games.
Reports suggest that Hasler's contract contains performance-related clauses that allow for termination if the team cannot secure a finals berth, especially if they are mathematically eliminated later in the season.
While former Broncos coach Kevin Walters is mentioned as a potential successor, he refrained from commenting on Hasler's situation, labeling it "disrespectful." To qualify for the finals, Gold Coast would likely need to win around 12 of their remaining 14 matches, making their playoff hopes appear bleak.
Johns criticized the team's playing group, emphasizing that they have been "hamstrung" by the lack of a dominant No.
7.
He stated, "They have chopped and changed the halves and their spine.
Jayden Campbell is an instinctive player but he's not a natural seven." He pointed out that the roster lacks a commanding leader on the field.
Kieran Foran, the team's main playmaker from the previous season, is nearing the end of his career and has struggled with injuries, having not played in 2025 after a pre-season bicep tear.
Hasler has experimented with various players in the halves, such as Campbell, AJ Brimson, and Tom Weaver, but none are noted for their leadership and playmaking capabilities.
This deficiency in the team's structure is seen as a significant reason for the underperformance of key players like David Fifita, who has also been hindered by a pre-season ankle injury.