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Titans Narrowly Avoid Wooden Spoon as Hasler Departs
8 Sep
Summary
- Titans endured a poor 2025 season
- Des Hasler's two-year reign as coach ended weeks before season's end
- Rookie coach Josh Hannay faces challenge of improving the underperforming team
The 2025 season was a difficult one for the Gold Coast Titans, as they narrowly avoided finishing at the bottom of the NRL ladder, known as the dreaded "wooden spoon." Just weeks before the end of the campaign, the Titans announced the end of Des Hasler's two-year reign as head coach, following months of speculation about the veteran coach's future.
Rookie coach Josh Hannay was quickly appointed as Hasler's successor, and he will have his work cut out for him as he attempts to drag the Titans up the ladder in 2026. The team faced several key departures during the 2025 season, including forward Josiah Pahulu, who was granted an early release to join the Melbourne Storm, and Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui, who agreed to a two-year deal with the Catalans.
Veteran playmaker Kieran Foran also revealed that he would be retiring from the NRL after a 17-year career, although he will remain with the Titans in a coaching role. The club did manage to secure the futures of several key backline players, including Keano Kini, Jaylan De Groot, and Jojo Fifita, but they also lost emerging talent Javon Andrews to the Wests Tigers.
