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Tino Fa'asumaleaui to test market with Perth Bears in box seat
Sam Kosack • August 10th, 2025 12:41 pm
Gold Coast Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will reportedly test the open market on November 1, making him a prime candidate to become the Perth Bears marquee signing.
Fa’asuamaleaui signed a massive 10-year contract with the Titans back in 2023, however, the contract contained two get-out clauses, one of which can be activated for the 2027 season.
The loss of Fa’asuamaleaui would be a massive blow for the Gold Coast, who are fighting to avoid the wooden spoon as pressure continues to swirl around coach Des Hasler.
The Maroons star was initially lured from the Melbourne Storm up to the Titans in 2021 by then General Manager of Football Mal Meninga and recruitment manager Ezra Howe, both of whom are heading up the new Perth Bears franchise.
The Bears enter the competition in 2027, and can begin recruiting players from November 1, making Fa’asuamaleaui a prime candidate to be the inaugural signing for the new club.
The Bears could offer Fa’asuamaleaui as much as $1.5 million a season as they build their new roster, potentially making the 25-year-old the highest paid player in the game.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Fa'asuamaleaui's manager Simon Mammino confirmed the lock forward would test the market, despite being happy at the Titans currently.
“We will be testing the market…at this stage, he wants to stay at the Titans, but it’s a business and we’ll be having a chat to interested parties, including the Perth Bears,” Mammino confirmed.
“From November 1, we’re allowed to talk to people and I will definitely be having a chat with the Perth Bears.
“In a perfect world, Tino’s preference is to stay at the Titans but whether he does remains to be seen.”
“Mal (Meninga) and Ezra (Howe) are huge factors.
“There is no grey area - Tino went to the Titans because of Mal Meninga. He has huge respect for him.
“That doesn’t mean Tino will definitely sign with them (Perth), but Mal and Ezra are huge fans of Tino.
“I know Tino likes Des, so we need to sit back and see what unfolds with the club and make a decision from there.
“Tino wants to win a comp at the Titans, and he has a fair bit of belief in his playing group and the roster that is with him.”
Fa'asumaleaui has 107 NRL appearances, 15 games for Queensland and 7 tests for Australia.
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