"Pure speculation": Hasler rejects speculation around coaching future after Broncos loss

Des Hasler has has hit out at "unfounded" speculation he's under pressure at the Titans after his side's 26-14 loss to the Broncos.

Hasler reportedly has a clause in his contract that will allow Gold Coast management to remove him from his role once the team is mathematically eliminated from finals.

The Titans' loss today rules them out of finals contention, meaning Hasler may not see out the season, two games short of 500 games as a coach, in a career that stretched across the Sea Eagles, Bulldogs, and Titans.

Hasler appeared frustrated by comments around his coaching future in his post-match press conference, saying the Titans are still building.

"I don't take any notice of the reports because I know what we've got here and I know what's sort of said so I find a lot of the speculation unfounded," Hasler said in his post-match conference.

"In saying that we've only been at it 18 months. I'm not trying to make excuses, I'm one of the most competitive people you'll come across.

"It's not something that I am enjoying, particularly when I know what's in the four walls and the outcomes.

"I think if you're going to be fair, and if you're not looking in a biased way or you don't have an agenda, there were some great signs there tonight.

"The results, we just haven't got them, and the business we are in is a results-driven business... but what you saw tonight was the effort and the willingness to work hard.

"The future of the Titans I think is quite strong."

The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis reported earlier in the week that Hasler will retire at season’s end, however, with today’s loss, it’s unclear if the club will keep him on for the final eight rounds of the competition.

The Titans were gritty, playing with the energy and effort of a team fighting for their coach, however, their poor discipline was ultimately the nail in their coffin.

Simple errors saw the Titans with a completion rate of 57 percent at half-time, before an improved second half saw it reach 70 percent at fulltime.

Brian Kelly had a match-high five errors while Jayden Campbell followed with three as the Gold Coast struggled for consistency in attack.

Throughout Hasler’s tenure, many questions have been asked about his use of David Fifita, who on his day can be the most damaging player in the competition but has been on the sidelines or in reserve grade since Round 8.

In his return to first grade, Fifita only played 26 minutes and had limited impact in his time, making three runs and 11 tackles, only returning for a two-minute second stint due to a HIA to Sam Verrills.

The Broncos ran out their first choice spine for the first time this season, with Ben Hunt lining up at hooker for the first time in 2025.

It wasn’t the clinical performance Broncos’ coach Michael Maguire would have hoped for with his first choice spine - the Broncos making more errors than the Titans - though they still capitalised on their opportunities.

Young prop forward Ben Talty opened the scoring, crossing in the 33rd minute for his first try in the NRL, while Reece Walsh thrilled with a backflip off one of his tries.