Fa’asuamaleaui ends speculation over contract talks

Titans coach Josh Hannay has secured the biggest win of his brief coaching tenure with the Gold Coast, announcing star enforcer Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will commit to the entirety of his deal through to the end of 2030.

The future of the Queensland Maroons hardman and Gold Coast skipper has been subject to scrutiny ever since it was revealed he had clauses in his lucrative 10-year contract that enabled him to explore the open market for the 2027 season.

Fa’asuamaleaui was said to be assessing how Hannay’s arrival at Parkwood would change the side’s fortunes, having played just one finals game since his arrival in 2021 on the back of winning an NRL premiership with the Melbourne Storm the year before.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has confirmed he will remain with the Titans until at least the end of 2030.Credit: Getty Images

Those failings left him vulnerable to a recruitment raid from the likes of the incoming Perth Bears, but Hannay confirmed his marquee man would see through his commitment at Gold Coast.

“I know it’s been a story out there for a while, so it’ll be a relief for him to just move on now,” Hannay said.

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“I’ve got to say from day one since I got here, I’ve never had any sense that he was going to make any other decision really. He’s spoken often with me about his love for the club, love for his teammates, and love for this community, so it hasn’t come as a surprise to me.

“The number one motivation for him over the next few years is to bring success to this club. I know he cherishes his Maroons and Australian jumpers, but I think what’s most important for him moving forward is to see this club at the top.

“He’s been here through some hard times, let’s face it, but that hasn’t deterred him or scared him away.”

Overturning the Titans’ culture had been a key focus for Hannay since taking the reins, and he has been determined to show the squad and wider Gold Coast community there was a brighter future ahead.

Hannay said one of the main reasons he sought the Titans’ head coaching job once Des Hasler and the club parted ways was to work with Fa’asuamaleaui, having forged a close rapport with the 25-year-old during their shared time with the Maroons.

It is a strong endorsement from Fa’asuamaleaui about the cultural shift he believes Hannay has already created.

“I want to remain loyal and be part of the team that delivers premiership success to the Gold Coast,” Fa’asuamaleaui said.

“To achieve that, I want to do everything I can to build a winning culture and that’s why I’ve put to bed all the speculation around my future before we start the season.

“I’m fully committed to the Titans and genuinely believe we have so much potential with the long-term playing roster we’re assembling and Josh at the helm.”

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