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Future in Fa'asuamaleaui's hands as Titans embrace Hannay's culture
Sam Kosack • January 20th, 2026 9:19 pm
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is still weighing up where his future lies in the NRL as the Titans’ embrace the Josh Hannay-era.
The Titans’ are enjoying their first pre-season under new coach Josh Hannay, who hasn’t been afraid to move on players, releasing 12 players in a $4 million roster clean out.
Having successfully extended Jayden Campbell and Beau Fermor already this pre-season, the club’s attention remains firmly focused on locking in their captain.
Fa’asuamaleaui has attracted the interest of several clubs, including the Perth Bears, with AAP’s Joel Gould revealing the decision is now firmly in Fa’asuamaleaui’s hands.
“I was talking to one of the officials yesterday, and the lay of the land is this, really the ball's in Tino's (Fa’asuamaleaui) court,” Gould told SEN 1170 Drive.
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“He's the one that can make the decision. The Titans want him to stay.
“If Tino decides he wants to leave, that will be up to him, but the key point is that he's going to look at the environment that he's in, make an assessment on what he thinks, where he thinks the club is headed… so for Tino, I think it's more of a waiting game.
“I don't think we're going to wake up next week, and Tino's going to have announced that he's staying at the Titans. I don't think it's going to happen that soon. I think we're going to have to wait and see, and really there's no rush for him.”
Fa’asuamaleaui’s re-signing would cap off an almost perfect first pre-season for Hannay who Gould revealed is bringing a new culture and look to the Titans.
Hannay was hired in late-August to replace Des Hasler, with the veteran coach exiting the role at the end of the 2025 season.
He has wasted no time turning over the club, with position changes confirmed for Klese Haas and Chris Randall, who will make the full-time shift into the middle.
The first-choice spine has also been settled upon, with AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell to take charge of the halves, with Keano Kini at fullback and Sam Verrills at hooker.
Having attended pre-season training on the Gold Coast, Gould was impressed with the “happier” vibe at the club.
“I've been down to the Titans a couple of times, and there is a different mood down there,” Gould said.
“All the players… came up and shook my hand, and I was just standing there and they just came up and said G'day.
“It's hard to quantify how this will pan out in the season. This is only an observation of mine, but just the welcoming nature and I think they're a happier team as well.
“There is a different mood, and I think the players are enjoying having Josh Hannay, a younger coach, there as well and they can probably relate to him a little bit more, so we'll see how that all pans out in the season.
“I like the feel of the place.
“If there's injuries to some of those key players, I am a bit concerned about the depth. From 18 to 30, we don't really know how some of these guys are going to go in the NRL, so… it's a big challenge that he's got, and we know their history.
“I think Josh Hannay is a good coach, and I think he can turn the club around, but he might need some time.”
Hannay’s first game in charge of the Titans will come against his old side the Cronulla Sharks on March 7.
