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Opinion
Rugby league is an extremely entertaining circus where there is never a quiet moment. Every week there seems to be rumours about a coach whose job is on the line, a player who is unhappy and wants to change clubs or a club targeting a player under contract.
But what this circus relies on is gossip.
Over many years of watching rugby league, my observation is that almost nothing in the game can be kept secret.
That observation was turned on its head last week when the Gold Coast announced that Justin Holbrook would be departing from the club immediately, to make way for Des Hasler to take on the Titans head coach role from 2024.
This announcement came out of nowhere. In all the news I had consumed that week there was not even a whisper of the Titans looking to make this change.
Dumped Titans coach Justin Holbrook. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
So to the Titans I say, well done.
The fact that the Titans kept this quiet speaks volumes about their organisation.
I have no idea how tight the news was kept; but I assume at least the board and CEO knew, with potentially some other members of the executive leadership team having some awareness of what was going on.
The group that knew about the coaching change obviously trust each other and that is a great place to start in a sporting environment that is political, challenging and at times blood thirsty.
I reflect on so many of the challenges in sport and how they come from leaks to the media. Sometimes this is to alert the media to problematic behaviour happening in an organisation, but often it is about leverage, power and destabilising the organisation.
It is even more challenging when a leak comes from a board member as their primary duty is to do what is best for the organisation.
When the news broke, it not only surprised me but apparently it also surprised some people at the club too, with Mal Meninga seemingly left in the dark.
That suggests a couple of things to me; that either the decision makers had concerns about Meninga keeping it a secret, that they were worried about his closeness to Holbrook or that he is on the outer at the club.
My guess is we will learn more in coming months, particularly as Hasler starts making decisions about the structure of his coaching department.
Just on Hasler, he has made it clear that his preference is to fly under the radar. He will absolutely get that opportunity at the Titans who are constantly in the shadows of their bigger brothers the Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys.
Additionally, the Titans are not as ‘shiny and new’ as the new kids on the block, the Dolphins.
This means that media coverage and perhaps even scrutiny is less at a club like the Titans and will give Hasler the opportunity to just get on with the job.
No doubt Hasler had a huge role in how the news of his recruitment was contained; perhaps he used it as an opportunity to test the Titans to see whether as an organisation they had the ability to keep a secret.
It was a test that the Titans passed with flying colours.
For me, this decision also demonstrates a clear intention from the Titans.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Despite improved results under Holbrook this year, it’s clear that the club is ambitious and wants more. Hasler has won premierships at Manly and had finals success at Canterbury and the Titans have clearly identified him as the person to help the club take the next step.
The Titans already have the nucleus of a strong team with the likes of AJ Brimson, Kieran Foran, Moeaki Fotuaika, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, David Fifita and Jayden Campbell.
It wasn’t the only example of strong governance in rugby league with the St George Illawarra Dragons holding firm and declaring that they will not be releasing Ben Hunt from his contract.
This is the right decision. Just because Ben Hunt has said he wants to be released, doesn’t mean that the club has to do so.
Until another club approaches the Dragons with something worth considering, Hunt should remain in the red and white.