Titans have calm plan amidst storm over Bai and Tino
Joel Gould |
The Gold Coast plan to keep off-contract captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and rising star Cooper Bai beyond 2026 by providing a high performance environment that they want to be a part of into the future.
It’s that simple but also a massive challenge for a club that finished 16th last year and has won just one semi-final in 19 seasons.
The Melbourne Storm, where Bai’s father Marcus won the 1999 title, have gone hard for the 19-year-old and are the Titans’ major competitor.
The PNG international’s debut against Wests Tigers last year showcased the raw power, explosiveness and maturity that has him tagged as one of the game’s most exciting prospects.
The Storm all but had their man prior to Christmas but AAP understands Bai wants to take more time to weigh up his options. The Titans have made their offer and now will wait for him to make a call without placing any public pressure on him.
Despite signing a monster 10-year deal until 2033, Fa’asuamaleaui has a clause in his contract that allowed him to speak to other clubs from November 1 for the 2027 season.
He has already decided to test the market but can elect to stay at the club and see out his lucrative contract.
Perth Bears are one club who’ve said the Test forward is a target, but the ball is essentially in the Titans captain’s court.
The challenge for suitors, a substantial one, will be matching the deal.
Fa’asuamaleaui has said on the record that he wants to take the Titans to glory but the caveat is that his other desire is to be convinced the club can provide the high performance environment to take him and his teammates to that mountain.
Titans’ director of football Scott Sattler told AAP it was up to the club to sell the dream.
“With Cooper and Tino we have just got to prove to them that we are providing them with an environment that they want to be a part of,” Sattler said.
“It is about them feeling that they are going to grow and develop as players.”
It is the Titans’ ability to transform the collective that will be the most compelling pitch.
The Gold Coast can’t point, like the Storm for instance, to sustained success in the past.
They can, however, put the building blocks in place right now to sell a brighter future.
Sattler said that goal essentially came down to the work of new coach Josh Hannay and his assistants Brian McDermott, Brad Davis and Steve Murphy.
“One, you’ve got to make training enjoyable,” Sattler said.
“Secondly, you’ve got to challenge them and thirdly you have got to do it in an environment where you still have a high conditioning base to it.
“That’s what our assistant coaches and Josh have done a great job of.”
Keeping the captain should have no impact on the club’s capacity to retain Bai.
The Titans have already budgeted to keep Fa’asuamaleaui and the recent 12-player roster cleanout has also freed up space for Bai and other key re-signings.
Titans prop Moeaki Fotuaika said it didn’t need to be an either/or proposition with the pair.
“Cooper’s probably the same size as Tino and he’s quite talented too,” he said.
“Look, I’d love to be playing alongside both of them.”
AAP
