Gold Coast Titans captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui has delivered a monumental boost to the club by committing his long-term future, pledging to remain with the Titans until at least the end of the 2030 NRL season.
A Decision Rooted in Belief and Environment
The 25-year-old Test and Queensland forward had a contractual clause permitting him to explore other offers for the 2027 season. However, he decisively rejected the opportunity to engage in formal talks with rival clubs. This decision was primarily influenced by the positive and high-performance environment cultivated by new head coach Josh Hannay since his appointment.
Fa'asuamaleaui was transparent from the outset of the process. While he acknowledged he would test the market, he consistently emphasised his heartfelt desire to stay loyal to the Gold Coast and spearhead the Titans' return to finals football.
Convincing the Captain: The Hannay Effect
The pivotal factor for Fa'asuamaleaui was the need to be convinced that the Titans could provide a genuine high-performance environment capable of driving the club toward sustained success. Hannay has achieved this critical buy-in remarkably quickly, a significant credit to him and his staff following a tumultuous period under previous coach Des Hasler, which culminated in a 16th-place finish last season.
Fa'asuamaleaui's manager, Simon Mammino, confirmed that while the Perth Bears submitted an expression of interest, no formal offer was made. Other clubs were prepared to enter discussions, but Fa'asuamaleaui, true to his word, granted Hannay and the Titans the first opportunity to win him over—a chance they seized emphatically.
Loyalty and a Premiership Vision
In announcing his decision, Fa'asuamaleaui underscored his deep connection to the club and its community. "The Titans mean a lot to me and my family, and my goal has never changed since coming to the club... I want to remain loyal and be part of the team that delivers premiership success to the Gold Coast," he stated.
He further explained his motivation for settling his future early: "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."
The powerful front-rower, who holds an additional option to extend his contract until 2033, expressed strong faith in the club's roster and future direction under Hannay's leadership. He praised the coach's emphasis on fostering strong connections within the playing group, staff, and the broader Gold Coast community.
"Leading this club is a huge honour and I'm excited about what lies ahead as we continue our pursuit of NRL premiership success," Fa'asuamaleaui added.
Coach's Perspective: A Cornerstone for Success
Coach Josh Hannay, who previously worked with Fa'asuamaleaui in the Queensland State of Origin setup, highlighted the captain's unwavering commitment. Hannay noted that in all their discussions, Fa'asuamaleaui was consistent in expressing his "love for the Titans and his teammates" and his burning ambition to help the club achieve greatness.
"We also spoke on developing an environment and a football program that he and our entire club are proud of and want to be part of," Hannay said. He expressed satisfaction that Fa'asuamaleaui has been able to fully immerse himself in the new systems implemented since December.
Hannay lauded his skipper as "one of the best front rowers in the game who's yet to hit his ceiling" and a core leader for the team's emerging forwards. "I'm glad he's here for the long haul as an important cog to us achieving sustained success," the coach concluded, marking this commitment as a foundational moment for the Titans' future.
