Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s admission that he will test the NRL open market is expected to spark a frenzy for rival club’s vying for his signature. And it could open the door for the Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy to make a big-money play for the Queensland Origin star, following a number of departures at the club.
Fa’asuamaleaui says he’s keen to stay on the Gold Coast and see how things pan out under new coach Josh Hannay. But the Kangaroos forward says he also wants to ‘see improvements’ across the board at the Titans before he rules out the possibility of a move.
Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy (R) could be in a position to make a big-money play for Titans captain and Maroons Origin star, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (left centre)
And speaking to reporters in London – where he’s preparing for Australia’s first Ashes Test – Tino confirmed that he’ll ‘be on the open market’ from November 1. “I do really want to stay at the Titans but I want to see things improve around the place and that’s (by) winning,” he said.
“I have tried to do that for five years, to try to win, and there have been a lot of ups and downs. I want to see improvements throughout the whole club and see it heading in a good direction.”
However, Andrew Voss reckons Tino’s exit from the Titans is inevitable. The veteran NRL commentator says by deciding to test the open market, Tino is essentially admitting that he wants out of the Gold Coast.
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“When you see a player say they are going to test the market, does that not immediately say ‘I don’t want to stay where I am?’,” Voss questioned on SEN radio. “They are clearly leaning towards the fact that they don’t want to stay.
“I’m not bagging Tino because if there’s a clause in his contract that allows him to do this, then go ahead. The signs are that he’s gone. If I’m a Titans fan, you’re thinking that he’s gone and out the door.”
Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has confirmed he will hit the NRL open market from November 1. Pic: Getty
Tino is signed with the Titans on a $1.1 million-a-season deal until the end of 2033 but a clause in the contract means he can speak with rival clubs from November about a move in 2027. The Dragons and Perth Bears are among the rival clubs expected to make mega-money offers for Fa’asuamaleaui.
It’s understood Mal Meninga’s Bears could table a deal worth around $1.5 million per season, which would make Tino the highest-paid forward in NRL history. The Bulldogs have also been linked with the rep star, while a return to the Storm is also a genuine possibility.
Storm could offer Tino Fa’asuamaleaui a return in 2027
Tino got his NRL start under Craig Bellamy won a premiership with the Storm in 2020, before joining the Titans in 2021. He admits Melbourne will always hold a special place in his heart, and recent departures at the club could open the door for his return.
Melbourne have freed up a massive chunk of salary cap space after releasing Nelson Asofa-Solomona. The Kiwi enforcer was on around $850,000 per year – money the Storm will get back because the veteran asked for a release.
The Storm’s coffers will also be boosted by the departure of playmaker Jonah Pezet, who’s set to join Parramatta on a one-year deal next season, before linking with Brisbane on a multi-year deal from 2027. And Fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen is also believed to be heading to R360 at some stage, which would free up another $900,000.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (L) has left the Melbourne Storm, and Ryan Papenhuyzen’s (second from left) future is also clouded. Image: AAP
It all points to Melbourne making a play for a superstar free agent, and they wouldn’t come much bigger than Fa’asuamaleaui. Former Storm star Brandon Smith said he’d heard whispers back in August that Melbourne were plotting a move for Tino and that Asofa-Solomona’s exit could be pivotal.
“I can honestly say that’s the first time I heard that (the Tino rumours),” Bellamy said in response to the Fa’asuamaleaui rumours at the time. “So I guess the recruitment guys are keeping it from me or who knows… we’d certainly like to have him back, but I’m not quite sure he’d fit back into our (salary) cap at the moment.”
But with considerable cap space freed up at the club in recent days, the Melbourne coach’s stance on Fa’asuamaleaui makes the current situation intriguing. And it could pave the way for the superstar to make a triumphant return to his former club.