“Nothing sinister about it”: Titans will not release boom rookie despite bonus fallout

A stalemate is playing out on the Gold Coast between the Titans and one of the game’s best young props.

Josiah Pahulu has requested a release from the Gold Coast, accusing the club of resting him in their final game of 2024 so as to not pay him a five-figure bonus for playing 20 matches.

Pahulu, who could sign with other clubs as of November 1st, wishes to join the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, but AAP journalist Joel Gould has revealed the Titans do not plan on releasing Pahulu at this stage.

“At this stage, the Titans have no intention whatsoever of releasing Pahulu,” Gould told SEN 1170 Mornings.

“Some people are suggesting it was a deliberate ploy by the Titans to not pay him, but the Titans are telling me that it was the fact he had an injury… what they're suggesting to me is there was nothing sinister about it, there was an injury.

“The fact is he didn't play enough games to get a bonus, which was a five-figure bonus, but what the titans have told me is he… came on and played for 20 mins in his final game of the season, and didn’t play the last game.”

Gould implored the Titans to resolve the issue with Pahulu, saying the young prop is a standout rookie in one of the most in-demand positions right now.

“He’s one of the most promising young props I’ve seen in a long time so if I’m the Titans I’m trying to extend him.,” Gould said.

“He's not contracted for 2026 so he's certainly available for any club to make him an offer.

“The player himself I’d say wants to play rugby league… the signing of Reagen Campbell-Gillard means that if everyone’s fit and healthy he's not going to get as much game time.”

Pahulu played 19 games in his rookie season, averaging 66 metres per game.