Fronting a media scrum for his first official duties as head coach of the Gold Coast Titans, Des Hasler was all jokes and emitting a carefree energy.
“To be completely honest it’s a side business,” the two-time premiership-winning coach cracked, unflappable and refusing to break face.“It’s a function centre – there’ll be weddings, funerals, you can spread your ashes, and I’ll undercut any wedding venue on the Gold Coast. But when Hasler was not entertaining the crowd, as the Titans celebrated The Lottery Office joining as a principal partner for the next two seasons, he was outlining his vision to bring a maiden premiership to the Gold Coast.Hasler’s preseason will begin on Monday, where he will start to get a gauge on how he solves a pair of selection conundrums.
Skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was originally contracted until then, only to ink a monster 10-year upgrade.Where he said the club needed to improve was arresting a concerning trend where when something went against them on the field they would capitulate, and go on to lose the seemingly unlosable – last season’s defeats to the Dolphins and Bulldogs just two examples.