Mole’s season review: ‘Same old story’ as $900k Titans star eyes exit
It was sadly the same old story for the Titans in 2026 – plenty of talent and flair in the squad, but failing to translate that into wins over a long campaign.
And the club can thank the Dragons’ dismal season for saving them from another wooden spoon year – but only just.
Jayden Campbell and AJ Brimson. Getty Images
With class individuals like Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Jayden Campbell, AJ Brimson, Keano Kini, Beau Fermor, Jojo Fifita, Phil Sami and rookie hooker Oliver Pascoe, the Titans had plenty of strike power and should have finished higher up the ladder in John Hannay’s first season as head coach.
Gold Coast have been one of the quietest in the league in recruitment and shedding dead wood, so the 2027 squad will look very similar to the group that struggled for wins this year.
They definitely could use some more depth in key positions and may be waiting to strike when rival clubs start to shed players after November 1.
Brimson is on an estimated $900,000 salary at the Titans, but is keen to play fullback – the spot held down by the talented Kini – so it wouldn’t surprise me to see him move on, which would be a loss for the side.
Campbell is the key to the Titans’ attack and on his day, he is capable of igniting the team – but rival clubs are now well and truly aware of him and he is closely marked every time he takes the field.
Fa’asuamaleaui worked manfully up front, leading the pack, while Fermor also had a fine year with his wide running and ability to break the line.
Kini is a class act at fullback, capable of coming up with big plays when it matters and scoring long-range tries.
Big Tino and Mo Fotuaika laid a solid foundation up front but the Titans lacked the game management to cash in on their grunt work.
Campbell is more of a running halfback than an organiser and that’s an area of his game the club needs to work on over the summer.
Sami was the club’s most dangerous outside back and he has been let go to the Dragons next season.
Unless they do some serious recruiting over the next couple of months, another tough season in 2027 looms large.
Best player: Phil Sami led the Titans’ try scoring with 15 and also ran his team out of trouble deep in their own territory many times. They needed to fight harder to keep him - he’ll be missed.
Biggest disappointment: Lachlan Ilias came to the club to provide direction in attack but managed just 12 games in the top grade, of which only four were wins.
Lachlan Ilias joined the Titans this season. Getty Images
Key signing: Warriors playmaker Luke Hanson could be the man to ignite the stuttering Titans attack. He hasn’t played a lot of NRL, but has shown in the lower grades that he has the ability to get the job done.
2027 gains: Mawene Hiroti (Sharks), Jai Bilish (Future Titans), Luke Hanson (Warriors)
2027 losses: Phil Sami (Dragons), Jaimin Jolliffe (Huddersfield Giants), Sam Verrills (released).
