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I understand that NAS has now officially been “released” by the Storm

Yep he's gone.

Big whispers that the Dragons are in for him.

Much speculation that because NAS requested a release, there will be no payout etc etc.

I find that hard to believe, no one is giving up $1.7m thanks very much all good see you later, thanks for everything.

Seems pretty PR focussed, Storm probably prefer that NAS asks for the release and no doubt a negotiated payout is underway.
 
Yep he's gone.

Big whispers that the Dragons are in for him.

Much speculation that because NAS requested a release, there will be no payout etc etc.

I find that hard to believe, no one is giving up $1.7m thanks very much all good see you later, thanks for everything.

Seems pretty PR focussed, Storm probably prefer that NAS asks for the release and no doubt a negotiated payout is underway.
Dragons have also offered the highest ever salary for a dragons player to Tino, think it’s around $1.3 million per season? They already got Josh Kerr heading back there and he’s probably the closest player to what NAS offers. Think they could be going to table a big offer to Metcalf too?
 
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Yep he's gone.

Big whispers that the Dragons are in for him.

Much speculation that because NAS requested a release, there will be no payout etc etc.

I find that hard to believe, no one is giving up $1.7m thanks very much all good see you later, thanks for everything.

Seems pretty PR focussed, Storm probably prefer that NAS asks for the release and no doubt a negotiated payout is underway.
I think the Storm love their reputation as a tough negotiator and paying out NAS to not play is counter to that narrative.
 
More Gordon discussions to come

Titans will hold urgent talks with Aru to resolve Carter Gordon’s future
Titans have rejected Gordon’s request to be released from his Gc deal so he can return to rugby with a view to playing at 27 World Cup
The Titans ideally want to keep Gordon but Aru hasn’t given up
The likelihood is that ends up in union with the QLD Reds but the Titans don’t want to be disadvantaged by his move


Titans and Souths some distance apart on subsidy/ freight for Fifita.
Discussions continue
Source
Gold Coast Bulletin
 
More Gordon discussions to come

Titans will hold urgent talks with Aru to resolve Carter Gordon’s future
Titans have rejected Gordon’s request to be released from his Gc deal so he can return to rugby with a view to playing at 27 World Cup
The Titans ideally want to keep Gordon but Aru hasn’t given up
The likelihood is that ends up in union with the QLD Reds but the Titans don’t want to be disadvantaged by his move


Titans and Souths some distance apart on subsidy/ freight for Fifita.
Discussions continue
Source
Gold Coast Bulletin
Update on this
Aru to pay Titans 100 k transfer fee for Carter Gordon
Released to Aru
 

Titans star Tino Fa’asuamaleaui set to stay on the Gold Coast - for now​

Titans star Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has delayed putting himself on the NRL open market after hearing Josh Hannay’s pitch to save the club. But the new coach is running out of time.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has delayed putting himself up for sale on the open market in a huge boost to the Titans’ hopes of keeping their inspirational skipper on the Gold Coast.
This masthead can reveal Fa’asuamaleaui is giving Josh Hannay every chance to succeed – and stop him walking out on the club – after a promising meeting with the new Titans coach.

The Queensland Origin enforcer has two get-out clauses in his deal, for 2027 and 2030, after inking a club record 10-year, $12 million deal with the Titans two years ago.

The first clause means Fa’asuamaleaui is technically a free agent from November 1 and his management recently indicated the Titans captain would explore all options next month following Gold Coast’s wooden-spoon debacle this season.

But it is understood Fa’asaumaleaui has softened his stance after hearing Hannay’s pitch to haul the Titans out of the doldrums and deliver the first premiership in Gold Coast’s 18-year history.

The 25-year-old will monitor the Titans’ progress in pre-season under Hannay, who has vowed to inject a title-winning identity following the sacking of his predecessor Des Hasler.

Fa’asuamaleaui flies to the UK this Wednesday as part of Australia’s Ashes campaign and when he returns to Parkwood after a Christmas break, the heat will be on Hannay to convince his skipper the Titans will deliver a winning football program.

But Fa’asuamaleaui’s decision to avoid heading to free agency immediately is the most definitive sign yet he wants to remain at the Titans – if they can show signs of a promising revival under Hannay.

Gold Coast football boss Scott Sattler, who started in his new role on Friday, said the onus is on the Titans to satisfy Fa’asuamaleaui after he challenged senior management to improve the direction of the wooden spooners.

“I’d like to think we can keep him,” Sattler said.

“But it has to be based on our vision moving forward.

“I am confident we can retain Tino based on the conversations we have been having and the model of the Titans moving forward will be one that he and other players here will embrace.

“It’s a smart decision by Tino to allow that time for Josh to see how the club evolves and keep that connection going.

“Tino knows where we want to take the club.”

Under the terms of his get-out clause, Fa’asuamaleaui must formally advise Titans hierarchy of his intention to negotiate with other clubs.

That has not happened at this stage and won’t for some months, giving Hannay a handy headstart to implement the structures and culture to prevent Fa’asuamaleaui quitting the Titans.

Fa’asuamaleaui would have no shortage of suitors. Mal Meninga’s Perth Bears are armed with a five-year, $1.5 million-a-season deal and are a potential threat given that Meninga, as former Titans culture boss, was the man who lured Big Tino to the Gold Coast from Melbourne in 2021.

If Hannay has his way, Tino will be a Titan for life. The pair have worked together in Queensland’s Origin program, striking a solid rapport, and Hannay accepts the Origin and Test hardman is tired of false dawns.

“In my discussions with Tino, I just wanted to get in front of him and paint a picture for him in terms of what we want to put in place at the Titans with the football program,” he said last month.

“It’s not about making guarantees or promises, ultimately everyone at the club wants to see actions.

“They have had enough of promises, so it was more about sitting down with Tino and giving him a picture of the environment we will create and the football program we are going to put in place.

“There’s been a bit of noise around Tino. He has been a little bit frustrated for a while (at the Titans), but I know at heart he loves the club and I would certainly love to have him there for the long haul.”

Sattler said it would be a crippling blow if Fa’asuamaleaui ultimately decided to test his value on the open market.

“He’s a leader of the Titans and a player at the height of his game,” he said.

“Tino’s a player that we want here to keep building the club around with other players supporting him.

“Most importantly, the community has an emotional connection to Tino which is really important to us.

“It’s a really wise decision for Tino to continue his relationship with Josh that he has built with him in the State of Origin team.”

Aside from Fa’asuamaleaui, rising star Jayden Campbell is a free agent from November 1 and has yet to accept a five-year extension worth $4.5 million.

“Jayden is contracted here next year and he’s another player we want to keep,” Sattler said.

“His father (Preston Campbell) made his debut on the Gold Coast in 1998 and we’re hoping that family legacy will continue.

“But it’s on us to prove to Jayden and Tino that we’re going to bring success to the Gold Coast, their fans and the community.”
 
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