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.
Greggo
Roar Rookie
I would love to see gold coast change their name. Titans was a terrible choice I believe at the time they had a fan poll or something, and they were at one time considering dolphins before being threatened with legal action by the Redcliffe dolphins. But noone can get behind a titan. Absolute rubbish. Gold coast kookaburras, stingrays something relateable. Yes I know broncos, storm , port power etc but a bit different. Gold coast has been a graveyard for sporting teams , they needed to hit the nail on the head with the marketing side and imo they were behind the eight ball straight away going with titans
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Yeah Flanagan is best buds with the laziest journalist in history … Buzz Rothfield. You may have noticed the wall to wall campaigning on Fox by he and the others in the peanut gallery in 360
peeeko
Roar Guru
i absolutely loved it. i would have loved to see the newscorp journos head explode when it happened
Redcap
Roar Guru
I’ve always thought there might be a much broader sense of impermanence. A transient population, an older fixed population compared to a lot of other places many of whom aren’t likely to all that interested in the local team, an economy largely based around people coming and going. __ It’s quite striking when you drive around the place – so many signs and messages are aimed at people who don’t live there. __ And quite a few sporting teams have come and gone as well.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Penny, Lets see what next year brings
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
It's a holiday strip. Tiger, dogs, dragons have different issues, wake up. And Titans have great assets AND well represented but still not troubling the 8 simply proves my point. A problem that's existed over other sports over a long time. League, Soccer, AFL, basketball... not a lot of silverware in any cabinet for such a talented and resourced region eh??? They all blame it on some rookie coach theory?? You'd be better to identify the fact that the NRL and officialdom doesn't take them seriously either. Who's a crock????
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
True, and while the geography and lifestyles have similarities, Manly and the Chooks have arguably spent better in attracting the right influential attitudes.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
What a crock, If the glitter strip is an issue then Tigers, Bulldogs and St George should be top of the table. Did not seem to hold back Alyssa Healy, Darius Boyd or Joel Parkinson Titans had three in Origin 2 and will have 4 in Origin 3. How may will Tigers, Bulldogs and St George have playing Origin 3? Other than Neil Henry who got Hayne dumped on him the Gold Coast have always had rookie coaches. Lets see what next year brings
Nick
Roar Rookie
Unquestionably true. Bondi is far more distracting than the Gold Coast.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
That argument has been used for 30 years in respect to the lack of sporting success on the Gold Coast and it's probably true. But I'd argue Easts and Manly are not too dissimilar in geographical features and lifestyle, and they're 2 clubs who have achieved plenty of success.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
I could be wrong, but I wonder if the environment - holiday glitter strip - has an impact on professional athletes. If it's hard to maintain focus and intent, it seems many teams/sports struggle with that in the area over many years.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Or maybe the Dragons considered the options available to them and decided they can afford to sit tight for the moment and wait for another offer. Like you said, you don't know the details, and the money/in-kind compensation may not have suited the club. I wouldn't be particularly excited by a 29-year-old with 14 total first-grade games (Delouise Hoeter). Stranger things have happened.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
The Titans are a very well run club. Competent owners, competent board, quality roster, huge junior nursery, strong local comps, excellent pathway systems, great boutique stadium... all that's left is achieving on-field success. Can Dessie Hasler turn them into a top 4 side and win a premiership? Time will tell I suppose but I do think he's the right man for the job.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
It blindsided all the media, even the local papers and tv had no idea, so well done titans.
Cam
Roar Rookie
With regards to Hunt, I’m not sure cutting off your nose to spite your face is good governance. My understanding is, the Broncos had negotiated compensation for Hunt’s transfer for the remainder of the season, but I am unsure about the Titans? Reading between the lines, they had also spoken to the Dragons for 2024, but nothing has been public what the deals may have looked like. Maybe they were rubbish, or more likely the Dragon’s front office butchered another negotiation. The Broncos have a horde of gun young players that would have been a good fit for this season and maybe into 2024. Someone like a Delouise Hoeter would be perfect to plug into their left side, which has leaked an incredible 15 tries in 4 games. Better business is to know when you are flogging a dead horse and to get out with something in your pocket. Instead Hunt will play on and judging by his effort last week, he has lowered his effort levels to match Zac Lomax and the rest of his team mates.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Titans were talking to Flanagan last year. But walked away when "someone" leaked to story to News corp
Redcap
Roar Guru
"Hasler has won premierships at other clubs..." Well, not quite - just the one club. I'm not sure the Titans keeping their deliberations about Hasler/Holbrook secret, or the Dragons holding firm on Hunt are, in and of themselves, examples of good governance. That's something that can only properly be demonstrated through careful planning, decision-making and prudence over an extended period. That said, promising signs for the Titans. The Dragons' administration has some way to go before I give them a tick.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
The best thing about this is how it completely blindsided the motley News(Very)Ltd Fox 360 crew of pretend journos like Rothfield whose ‘sources’ appear to be about as trustworthy as his opinions