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Sam Kosack • July 13th, 2025 10:24 pm
Des Hasler’s coaching future is dangling by a thread after the Titans were mathematically eliminated from finals contention due to their 26-14 loss to the Broncos.
Hasler reportedly has a clause in his contract that will allow Gold Coast management to remove him from his role once the team cannot make finals, meaning Hasler may not see out the season, two short of his 500-game milestone as a coach.
The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis reported earlier in the week that Hasler will retire at season’s end, however, with today’s loss, it’s unclear if the club will keep him on for the final eight rounds of the competition.
The Titans were gritty, playing with the energy and effort of a team fighting for their coach, however, their poor discipline was ultimately the nail in their coffin.
Simple errors saw the Titans with a completion rate of 57 percent at half-time, before an improved second half saw it reach 70 percent at fulltime.
Brian Kelly had a match-high five errors while Jayden Campbell followed with three as the Gold Coast struggled for consistency in attack.
Throughout Hasler’s tenure, many questions have been asked about his use of David Fifita, who on his day can be the most damaging player in the competition but has been on the sidelines or in reserve grade since Round 8.
In his return to first grade, Fifita only played 26 minutes and had limited impact in his time, making three runs and 11 tackles, only returning for a two-minute second stint due to a HIA to Sam Verrills.
The Broncos ran out their first choice spine for the first time this season, with Ben Hunt lining up at hooker for the first time in 2025.
It wasn’t the clinical performance Broncos’ coach Michael Maguire would have hoped for with his first choice spine - the Broncos making more errors than the Titans - though they still capitalised on their opportunities.
Young prop forward Ben Talty opened the scoring, crossing in the 33rd minute for his first try in the NRL, while Reece Walsh thrilled with a backflip off one of his tries.
