‘Happy under Josh’: Bai reveals why he stayed at Titans
Joel Gould |
Boom Gold Coast forward Cooper Bai has credited the influence of new coach Josh Hannay as the major factor in his decision to re-sign with the club.
The 19-year-old was on the cusp of joining Melbourne late last year and had interest from Penrith and Sydney Roosters but elected to ink an extension until the end of 2027 with an option for 2028 in his favour
Bai shone in his first starting match for the club in the 24-12 trial win over the Dolphins on Thursday night, with his surging bursts through the middle a highlight.
Speaking for the first time since inking his new deal last week, Bai said he was glad to get the contract saga out of the way.
“It was a big weight off my shoulders and it was good to come into games having everything done,” he said.
“I was really happy here and enjoying being under Josh, the coaching staff and playing squad.
“I feel like (Hannay) is really good with all the young boys. The big part he has is connection. I just feel like that connection piece is really good for all of us. When the tension levels are high he is able to calm all the boys down and that is the most important part of his character.”
Bai’s father Marcus Bai won the 1999 premiership with Melbourne and is a club legend so the lure to join Craig Bellamy at the Storm was strong.
“It was tough to make all the phone calls to my family and let them know, but they were really excited for me to continue my journey here,” he said.
“(Tough decisions) always come with it when my old man has been to a different club. As long as I was happy, he was happy.
“I have a pretty tight squad at home with my family and my management. It is good having that secure group who are trying to find my best interests. That has helped me get through it.”
Bai has already debuted for Papua New Guinea in Test football and his father is on the board of the PNG Chiefs.
The Chiefs will come into the NRL in 2028 but Bai would not be drawn on whether that was why he extended for just the one season.
“That was the option we had with management and I just leave it up to them,” he said.
The No.13 jersey is hotly contested but it is where Bai wants to start round one of the NRL away against Cronulla.
“It was really special to be starting No.13. That is where I like to play and the position I will be trying to go for,” Bai said.
“I just like it because it is between ball playing and running and opens up more options.”
Hannay said Bai was a player the club had “high hopes” for and were glad to keep.
“At one point, to be really frank, he had a foot out the door,” Hannay said.
“We set the intention as coaches about the environment we want to create but it’s the players that bring it to life.
“Once Cooper was able to spend enough time here and see the kind of environment we’re creating, it became one that he didn’t want to leave.
“Cooper’s reputation probably precedes him. It’s up to us to not burden the kid with the weight of expectation by expecting too much from him too soon.”
AAP
