Titans coach Des Hasler faced scrutiny regarding his future with the Gold Coast after a disappointing 36-20 defeat to Parramatta, which left the team at the bottom of the NRL ladder. When questioned about speculation he might leave at season’s end, Hasler dismissed the claims as mere “rumour” and “innuendo.”
Both the Eels and the Titans entered the match with equal competition points, but the Titans found themselves isolated at rock bottom following a poor performance at CommBank Stadium. The match was tightly contested, with Parramatta leading 18-16 at half-time, but they pulled away in the second half, scoring three tries while restricting the Titans to just one.
Compounding the Titans’ challenges, key playmakers Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses were absent for the Eels, yet the Titans still struggled to compete. Hasler acknowledged the importance of the match, stating, “It’s very tight there at the bottom… that’s why tonight’s game was so important for us.”
Injuries have further hampered the Titans, with halfback Jayden Campbell set to miss the upcoming game against the Cowboys due to a failed head injury assessment. Hasler tried to remain upbeat in his post-match commentary but appeared defensive when probed about job security. His current contract runs until the end of 2026, but reports suggest that clauses may allow the club to terminate the contract without payout if the Titans fail to qualify for the finals.
Currently, the Titans have registered only four wins against ten losses this season, with a points differential of minus 138, making it one of the worst in the league, just ahead of the North Queensland Cowboys.
Hasler concluded by emphasising the necessity for the team to persist in their efforts, despite the mounting pressure and the adverse circumstances they are facing.