“They’re sending a broom through the place

In a massive episode of the podcast, Kenty and Woz break the news of a coaching earthquake on the Gold Coast, alongside the announcement of the show’s first major sponsor, PointsBet.

Des Hasler to retire at season’s end

The biggest story in rugby league today is the bombshell that Des Hasler will retire at the end of the current season. Despite Hasler’s legendary status and four grand final appearances, his tenure with the Gold Coast Titans has failed to ignite. Kent reveals that the club is planning a "clean sweep" of the coaching department.

"They've agreed that basically the awful year they've had this year, Des Hasler's going to retire at the end of the year," Kent confirmed. "It’s yet to be announced... but both parties have decided, or Des has decided certainly, that this will be his last season."

The Gold Coast "comfort zone" problem

Reflecting on why a coach of Hasler’s pedigree couldn't turn the Titans around, Kent pointed to a deep-seated culture of complacency at the club. He suggested that while Hasler tried to enforce the high standards required to win premierships, he met resistance from a playing group that has become too comfortable in a holiday destination.

"Dez knows what it takes to sit there and win a Premiership. He tries to meet those standards," Kent explained. "I think he got resistance from the players there because they’re comfortable, right? They’re in that comfort zone."

A ground-up rebuild required

The Titans' struggles aren't just confined to the first-grade squad. Kent argued that the club has neglected its junior development pathways for far too long, focusing instead on "shiny new toys" and marquee signings that often blow out the salary cap.

"The Titans have got to... it’s got to be a ground-up rebuild," Kent insisted. "They’ve concentrated too much at the top end and not enough at the bottom end. Every time they get three years into their plan, they seem to want to change the plan... and so they never quite get there."

Tino: The cornerstone of the future

Despite the impending overhaul, one player remains non-negotiable for the Titans’ future: Tino Fa'asuamaleaui. Amidst rumors of interest from expansion teams, Kent believes the club must involve their captain in the rebuilding process to ensure he remains committed to the Gold Coast.

"He’s your cornerstone guy," Kent said. "I would go to Tino and I would include him in their strategies for how they rebuild the club because he is the alpha at the club. He is the guy who is the undisputed leader."

Who takes the reins?

With a "clean sweep" looming, speculation has already begun on who will step into the coaching hot seat. Kent listed several "usual suspects," including Jason Demetriou, Willie Peters, and Brad Arthur, but dropped a left-field suggestion that has the rugby league world talking.

"I’ve heard from multiple very good sources that Gus Gould is a chance to go to the Gold Coast," Kent teased. "Let’s just wait and see."

As the Titans prepare for life after Hasler, the focus will be on whether the club can finally find the "high footy IQ" needed to transform from a holiday destination into a rugby league powerhouse.

Watch the full episode on Fanatics TV.