Sattler set to take Titans back to future for success
Joel Gould |
New Gold Coast director of football Scott Sattler put together the Titans’ finest roster and his philosophies will drive the club’s elusive quest for success.
Sattler, new head coach Josh Hannay and foundation Titans forward Anthony Laffranchi in his role as recruitment chief, will aim to transform the last-placed Gold Coast after the club decided to part ways with current mentor Des Hasler for 2026.
The 53-year-old Sattler is as Gold Coast as they come.
He grew up on the Glitter Strip, debuted for the Gold Coast Seagulls in 1992 and his late father John was a key member of the consortium that set up the Gold Coast/Tweed Heads Giants in 1988.
More importantly, as the Titans’ inaugural football manager, the 2003 Penrith title winner and former Queensland representative helped assemble the foundation squad in 2007 that was the core of the side that made the 2010 preliminary final, in the Gold Coast’s finest season.
Recently Sattler went through his old USB sticks that contained all of his recruitment criteria on players from the Titans’ early days.
The data was based on due diligence and detailed research of how he identified players in the top squad.
Work ethic on and off the field, key traits in attack and defence, humility and other key performance indicators were assembled to add up to a points score that was counterbalanced by self-interest.
If a player was deemed selfish it would count against them.
The Titans recruited outstanding contributors including hooker Nathan Friend and back-rower Mark Minichiello, who were not fashionable but more than effective. They went on to play 121 and 173 games for the Titans respectively and featured in the 2010 preliminary final side.
Minichiello, who had been battling away at a struggling South Sydney, rated off the charts on the Sattler data.
There was no self-interest. He was deemed to be the ultimate selfless player and epitomised everything the Titans wanted.
Ditto hooker Friend, who was seeking a starting gig after coming through the Melbourne system and bricklaying on his days off.
These are the kind of players the new 2026 Titans will seek to retain and recruit.
The inaugural Titans enticed elite spine members and chose wisely.
Preston Campbell, 2003 title winner with Penrith, and Wests Tigers 2005 premiership-winning half Scott Prince were linchpins. Dual international Mat Rogers, who also grew up on the Gold Coast, was another.
The Titans currently have hard workers such as Beau Fermor, Moeaki Fotuaika and skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, their best and highest paid player. They also have promising spine members Keano Kini, Jayden Campell and AJ Brimson on the books.
Recruiting more tradesmen and players with the right character will by high on Laffranchi and Sattler’s agenda. Retaining and enticing the best of the best in the spine will be another as the Titans take a holistic approach.
“We’re here to deliver success,” Titans chief executive Steve Mitchell said.
“We’ve got to look at our environment in its totality, which is why we’re looking at Scott Sattler coming in.
“We’ve got to have a look at the way we’re putting our roster together, which is why are we going to focus heavily on Anthony Laffranchi and the players that we’re bringing through.”
The Titans are moving to extend Campbell long-term. Skipper Fa’asuamaleaui, despite signing a 10-year deal initially, has a clause that allows him to explore other options from November 1, 2026.
Fa’asuamaleaui’s manager Simon Mammino told AAP recently that his preference was to stay, despite a plan to speak to the Perth Bears when the time is right.
Mammino and his client were seeking clarity about the future before committing to the Titans. The club’s recent appointments could be the clincher.
AAP
