Hasler bids farewell to Titans predicting bright future
Joel Gould |
Des Hasler was full of optimism about the future of the Gold Coast as he gave his final pre-game press conference after a tumultuous two years.
The Titans have underachieved under Hasler and need to beat Wests Tigers on Saturday at Robina to have any chance of avoiding the wooden spoon, but the veteran mentor said incoming coach Josh Hannay had plenty to work with.
“I would have liked the results to have gone a little bit differently, but within the walls I have seen young men work really hard and I have seen some real development there,” Hasler said.
“I leave knowing there is a really good platform for Josh to come in and work on.”
Two-time premiership-winning coach Hasler will give debuts to former Wallabies No.10 Carter Gordon and promising Queensland under-19s forward Cooper Bai.
Bai, just 18, has impressed for Tweed Heads in the Queensland Cup and comes off the bench, while Carter has been named to start at centre after returning from cerebrospinal fluid leak surgery with the Ipswich Jets.
“I have got to pay tribute to young Carter. For four months he was horizontal with CFS, so it’s great that he gets to play,” Hasler said.
“Everyone is really excited about giving Cooper Bai his debut.
“He is going to have an outstanding NRL career. He is very methodical in the way he goes about his preparation. He is an old head on young shoulders. It is an exciting time for Titans fans.
“Success is just around the corner.”
Hasler, 64, came to an agreement with Titans bosses to make his departure a year early an amicable one, but he clearly wanted to keep going.
“You are always going to say you wanted more time, but that’s a decision that’s been made and we’ve all got to get on with it now,” he said.
“You never say (it’s) the end. I enjoy coaching.
“The future is bright for the Titans. If there was one wish … we never got our full-strength team out there on the field at the same time.”
Hasler gave retiring veteran Kieran Foran his debut at Manly and will be his coach again for the 35-year-old playmaker’s final match.
“That’s incredible,” Hasler said of Foran, who has overcome 17 surgeries in 17 years.
“It’s his 318th game and he’s packed some life into those 318. The real key part to ‘Foz’ is the example he has set, particularly in this sport.
“He has seen the highs and the lows. There were times he was lucky to see his next game, but he’s come through all that and it is great to see him go out this way.”
AAP
