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A favourite Des Hasler phrase is \u201cunder the radar\u201d. It aptly describes his arrival on the Gold Coast, perhaps the only time in rugby league history that a big transfer story hasn\u2019t leaked to the media.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was about respect for all parties, including the Titans, [former coach] Justin Holbrook and myself,\u201d Hasler said.<\/p>\n
The Titans have barely registered a blip on the sporting landscape either since their inception, failing to truly make a mark on the locals or on the NRL. That could be about to change with Hasler\u2019s arrival on the glitter strip.<\/p>\n
In his first interview since his departure from Manly, the new Titans mentor was bullish when asked if his new club could be in a premiership window in the coming years.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, easy,\u201d Hasler said. \u201cIt\u2019s a very young squad, the average age is about 22 or 23, although Foz [Kieran Foran] probably bumps it up a bit.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t want to sound cliche-ish, but there\u2019s a lot of 70-plus gamers. There\u2019s a really good window where we could do something good, something great.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt does happen. You only need to look at how the Warriors bounced back, the way Newcastle bounced back.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s strange, the NRL year is so unpredictable. Newcastle were in the bottom six after round 11. [Kalyn] Ponga was finished, he was retiring. And then look at the way they bounced back.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere were the Broncos three years ago?<\/p>\n
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New Gold Coast coach Des Hasler.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Gold Coast Titans<\/cite><\/p>\n \u201cYou never say never \u2013 you shouldn\u2019t. That\u2019s the exciting part about it \u2026 there are plenty of possibilities.<\/p>\n \u201cI picked up Manly in \u201919 and they were 14th. It\u2019s very real. So much happens in the NRL calendar. That\u2019s all part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n Hasler has unfinished business in the NRL. The two-time premiership-winning coach is excited about the challenge at his new club, while still at loggerheads with his previous one. His departure from Manly is a topic he won\u2019t broach, given that his controversial sacking is now before the Supreme Court.<\/p>\n Nobody saw the shift north coming. Negotiations with Titans powerbrokers remained a secret until the deal was done.<\/p>\n \u201cIn my 30 years doing this, this organisation handled that as professionally, diligently and respectfully as any deal I\u2019ve ever done,\u201d said Hasler\u2019s agent, George Mimis.<\/p>\n \u201cThe confidentiality is a sign of respect, not just to Des or us, but also the incumbent and other parts of the business.\u201d<\/p>\n Out of work and looking for a fresh start, Hasler had several options. It has been widely reported that Newcastle and St George Illawarra had expressed an interest, but after doing his due diligence the Gold Coast became the logical option.<\/p>\n \u201cIt fitted the best,\u201d Hasler said. \u201cThe front of house \u2013 Steve Mitchell [Titans chief executive] met with me and it was a really good process. There is some real talent in the roster.<\/p>\n \u201cYou weigh up where they are at and you weigh up the roster, and it presented quite well. In the end, it worked out best.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to say potential, because it\u2019s so hackneyed, but there\u2019s some ability there, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n The pre-season hasn\u2019t yet started, but Hasler has long been diligently at work in the background. It began with the retention of star forwards Tino Fa\u2019asuamaleaui and David Fifita, who had the opportunity to trigger exit clauses in their contracts that could have been activated the moment Holbrook departed.<\/p>\n Instead, Hasler helped convince them to stay.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s testament to the two boys \u2013 I never thought they would leave; they didn\u2019t want to leave,\u201d Hasler said. \u201cIt was a good indicator to me that their buy-in was strong, that they believed in where the place was going. That was really good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a really good window where we could do something good, something great.\u201d<\/p>\n The move will reunite Hasler with 33-year-old Foran, who has long described the veteran mentor as a father figure.<\/p>\n \u201cI know what Kieran is about, what he stands for, what he brings to the side,\u201d Hasler said. \u201cThat\u2019s why the Titans recruited him, it\u2019s about influence. When I say influence, it\u2019s about experience, which is important to the side.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the Broncos it\u2019s Adam Reynolds; a guy like Shaun Johnson at the Warriors. That voice is important, which is why Ben Hunt is important at the Dragons.\u201d<\/p>\n Hasler dead-batted questions about the potential arrival of Hunt, who has indicated he would be keen to join the club should a release from the Dragons be forthcoming. The Red V has made it clear that Hunt will be made to honour his contract, leaving Hasler to focus instead on the roster at his disposal.<\/p>\n The 62-year-old will have some big positional calls to make during the pre-season, given AJ Brimson, Jayden Campbell and Keano Kini all have the ability to play at fullback.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are all high-class headaches to have,\u201d Hasler said. \u201cYou\u2019ve also got young Jojo Fifita. The versatility that all those players offer is a bonus. There are all those situations to work through over the next couple of months.\u201d<\/p>\n When things went sideways at Manly, Hasler had no doubt that he still had more to give as a coach. Despite now being in his 60s, he arrives on the Gold Coast with his sense of humour \u2013 and his trademark locks \u2013 intact.<\/p>\n \u201cThe hair is still there,\u201d he said. \u201cThe part that pisses off a lot of people is that it\u2019s not grey.\u201d<\/p>\n Sports news, results and expert commentary. <\/i><\/b>Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\nMost Viewed in Sport<\/h2>\n
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