3 weeks ago
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Des Hasler believes he has more to give.
That a coaching career that has already garnered two premierships, 30 finals appearances, a Dally M coach of the year award and 504 NRL games isn’t over.
The Titans sacked Hasler on Monday with a season to go on his three-year contract, appointing Sharks assistant Josh Hannay as his replacement. The Gold Coast is the only club where Hasler – like the coaches who have gone before him – has struggled for success.
The club decided to part company with its coach after the Titans slumped to last place on the ladder, although they have two more matches – starting with Sunday’s clash against the Dolphins – to avoid the wooden spoon.
Should it spell the end of Hasler’s career, it would be an undignified way to bow out for one of the great coaches of the NRL era. The 64-year-old’s overall winning rate of 54 per cent, coupled with his record of five grand final appearances, is the envy of most clipboard holders.
Despite the setback at the Titans, Hasler isn’t the retiring type.
Des Hasler wants to continue coaching.Credit: Getty Images
“I really enjoy coaching and will survey the landscape once I’ve had a bit of a break,” Hasler said in his first interview since the announcement of his departure from the Gold Coast.
“I’ll head back down to Sydney, assess everything and check out the lay of the land. We’ll see what happens going forward. It’s not retirement.”
There’s a great irony in the Gold Coast’s succession plan, as it was the one Hasler put forward at Manly. Towards the end of his second stint at the Sea Eagles, Hasler was asked to identify his replacement.
The former NSW and Australia playmaker, after surveying all the options in the NRL ranks, put forward the name of Hannay. Hasler felt Hannay had served a well-rounded apprenticeship, given his stints as an assistant coach with Queensland, the Cowboys and Sharks, which also included interim head coaching experience at both NRL clubs.
It has been another tough year for the Titans.Credit: Getty Images
However, the Sea Eagles ultimately sacked Hasler and instead opted for Anthony Seibold. Now Hannay belatedly gets the chance to follow Hasler.
“I’ve watched him over the years,” Hasler said. “He’s had great tenures and exposure to the challenges that lie ahead.”
Hasler inherited an unbalanced Titans roster with a salary cap bent out of shape due to a surplus of fullbacks and an inordinate amount of money tied up in forwards David Fifita, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Moeaki Fotuaika. A raft of injuries – Fa’asuamaleaui and Fifita have managed just 47 games between them since Hasler’s arrival – have conspired against the veteran mentor.
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However, Hasler was philosophical when asked if he had any regrets about his time on the glitter strip.
“There’s nothing, in hindsight,” he said. “It’s been great to see players really develop here. Tino is a world-class leader on and off the field.
“Keano Kini has represented his country, JC [Jayden Campbell] is going to be a wonderful seven, AJ Brimson has had his best season of football and there are many other players on the rise.”
Only last month, Hasler became a member of an exclusive group of coaches who have overseen 500 games, joining Wayne Bennett (959 matches coached), Tim Sheens (693), Brian Smith (601), Craig Bellamy (600) and Ricky Stuart (539).
Hasler won’t be the only change at the Titans, with former premiership-winning player and administrator Scott Sattler taking over as the club’s director of football. There has also been a recent ownership change, with Rebecca Frizelle taking sole control after the Kelly family gave up their stake in the club.
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