The Titans are hoping for a club-wide reset ahead of the 2026 season.

Des Hasler was axed, with Josh Hannay being injected into the head coaching role after a disappointing 2025 campaign.

The Gold Coast did well to avoid winning the wooden spoon, but their gamble to sack Justin Holbrook and instead bring in the experienced Hasler did not pay off.

Alongside Hannay has come a new football staff in a big Gold Coast rebuild, with a roster re-shaping also underway.

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A host of players have departed, and big-name ones at that, while arguably their most important player’s future is also up in the air.

The changes at the Titans have also not been limited to the footballing department.

New equity partners have been welcomed, including rugby league royalty Matt and Trish Johns as well as Gorden Tallis & Jemma Elder.

So as a new dawn rises for the Titans, how does their roster sit in 2026 and where could they spend their cap space?

WHO HAS LEFT?

Hannay hasn’t been afraid to make the big calls.

David Fifita departed for the Rabbitohs, with the Titans reportedly forking out half of his $1 million salary to make the move to reunite with Wayne Bennett.

To some, that decision might seem ludicrous. But the fact of the matter is Hannay has freed up $500,000 of cap space for 2026, while also shedding a player who doesn’t have a desire to be there.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard also departed for the London Broncos, and his move has reportedly freed up a staggering $500,000 according to Code Sports.

Alofiana Khan-Pereira joined the Warriors, Kieran Foran retired and the veteran was reportedly earning north of $300,000.

Throw in the mix Carter Gordon, Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui, Tom Weaver, Jacob Alick-Wiencke, Ryan Foran, Ben Liyou, Harley Smith-Shields and Sean Mullaney all departing.

And Hannay comfortably has cleared up over $2 million in salary cap space.

He has hit the open market, signing the likes of Luke Sommerton (Panthers), Lachlan Ilias (Dragons), Kurtis Morrin (Bulldogs), Max Feagai (Dolphins) and several other unheralded players.

Former Bulldog Kurtis Morrin has joined the Titans on a multi-year deal.Source: Getty Images

Jayden Campbell was also handed a fresh contract worth a reported $4.5 million across five years — which could have been budgeted for.

Still, the Titans will be left with a significant amount of free salary cap space to make a splash on the open market.

But before they make a big play for marquee stars — there’s one big-name that needs to make a decision on his future.

THE TINO TROUBLES

Hannay’s No. 1 problem is Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.

Not on the field, but off it as the superstar prop and Titans captain has a mammoth decision to make — which could be a turning point for the Gold Coast club.

Fa’asuamaleaui put the Titans on notice by confirming he would test the open market come November 1, using his get-out clause which allows him to leave at the end of the 2027 season.

It’s widely expected he will field offers worth around $1.5 million per-season, with the Bears having a clean slate and salary cap to play with.

The Dragons, Bulldogs and Storm are also interested in his services.

But he reportedly wants to remain on the Gold Coast to find success, meaning Hannay will be a pivotal factor in his decision.

Will the former Sharks assistant be able to convince him to stay and turn the club’s fortunes around? Only time will tell, but if Fa’asuamaleaui does leave, it opens a can of worms.

The gun lock is currently signed on a deal where he is expected to earn $1.2 million in 2026, meaning that cap space would be freed up for 2027.

Throw in the potential $2 million as aforementioned, and the Gold Coast could make a serious splash in the transfer market.

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WHERE COULD THEY SPEND THEIR CAP SPACE?

Lets say hypothetically, Fa’asuamaleaui stays — the Titans still have cap space to sign two marquee stars.

A consistent issue for the Titans has been their spine, not due to a lack of talent, but due to having too many players whose best position is in the No. 1 jersey.

Campbell is set to wear the No. 7 long-term and Foran’s retirement has opened up the No. 6 jersey for AJ Brimson to wear, leaving Keano Kini at fullback.

With Ilias also arriving and young gun Zane Harrison in the club’s playmaking ranks, it seems Hannay won’t be looking to strengthen across his spine.

A consistent issue for the Titans has been wasting too much cap space on their forwards, so paying north of $1 million for another forward looks to be off the cards.

So Hannay could attempt to land a marquee flyer, and add two elite forwards who aren’t at the top-end of the pay scale.

Phillip Sami and Brian Kelly’s futures remain uncertain, meaning the centre and wing positions look like a space Hannay will almost certainly attempt to improve in.

Both players have essentially been tapped on the shoulder to find a club for 2027 but with that said, strong seasons next year could result in extensions for one or the other.

A centre they could’ve targeted is Manly outside back Reuben Garrick, but indications are Garrick will be a Rooster from 2027.

Another player the Titans could target is Warriors star Rocco Berry.

It’ll be hard to pry Berry away from New Zealand, but he’s a tough, no nonsense outside back who is strong defensively.

Not only has the 24-year-old have a ton of upside, he’s a strong defender who will add a hard edge to a Titans team desperately in need of it.

While the Gold Coast re-upped star backrower Beau Fermor, they should look at adding more talent at the position given David Fifita is now a Rabbitoh.

A couple of talented edge forwards on the market in their price range include Melbourne’s Shaun Blore and the Dolphins’ Connelly Lemuelu.

Blore is probably the more suitable signing for the Titans of the two.

The Gold Coast have had more than their fair share of defensive issues in recent times, but Blore would help shore up an edge as he’s a sure tackler and for the past two seasons, has been apart of the Storm’s system.

Could the Titans make a play at Warriors centre Rocco Berry?Source: Getty Images

THE BIG HALVES QUESTION

As touched on above, halfback has been a position the Titans have failed to nail down in recent years.

Tanah Boyd wasn’t the answer despite being given many chances. He left last year to head to the Warriors.

Jayden Campbell’s best position is fullback but given the abundance of talent at that position, he was shifted into the halves.

Given it’s not his natural position, his form at halfback was solid in 2026 but he does need to improve his general kicking game.

The Titans are better served with Campbell at five-eighth and with Lachlan Ilias arriving, Hannay won’t be forced to put Campbell in the No. 7 jersey.

Ilias hasn’t yet shown he can be considered a long-term halfback for a club, but in fairness, he wasn’t given much of a chance at the Dragons this year.

The Gold Coast also have a very promising playmaker in Zane Harrison waiting in the wings.

There’s a stack of hype around the Blues’ under 19s star and Hannay believes it is well deserved.

“Zane has got it. He is so capable, but he can’t take the next step on his own,” Hannay told Code Sports.

“The Titans need to do everything right by this kid.”

Reading between the lines, the Titans won’t rush Harrison into the NRL line up, but whenever he is given his cue, Gold Coast fans will like what they see from the teen sensation.