The Gold Coast are anchored to the bottom of the ladder with just three weeks remaining for the Titans to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon.
Des Hasler’s tenure has been under the blowtorch throughout the campaign as rumours have swirled about the premiership-winning coach being axed at the end of the season.
David Fifita and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui are two players who Gold Coast powerbrokers hoped to build a successful club around.
However, the duo’s futures seem to be built on quicksand on the Glitter Strip, as they too have been linked to exits amid a nightmare campaign.
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Titans drop David Fifita bombshell as rumours continue to swirl around Tino
"Well, that was his manager," Hasler responded in his trademark evasive fashion when asked for his response to Tino hitting the market on November 1.
The captain inked a mammoth contract extension at the Titans just two years ago, yet clauses in this deal have allowed him to enter negotiations with rivals later this year.
"It’s only really been discussed by his manager about fulfilling his obligations," Hasler added.
"It’s entirely at the manager’s discretion. But I’m fairly confident in Tino [staying]."
The Queensland representative has produced a quality campaign off the back of his recovery from an ACL injury. But, at times, he has cut a frustrated figure as he has been unable to drag his side out of their losing form.
"He just wants to see the improvements and advancements of the side," Hasler explained.
"We’ve got to be able to create a platform where we are competitive and he’s fully invested in that. He’s a big contributor to that."
Meanwhile, Wayne Bennett cast an admiring glance towards Fifita earlier this week.
The booming backrower has managed just eight appearances during an injury-plagued spell this year. And all but two of those matches saw him introduced off the bench, with his minutes limited.
"It’s been a tough year for David," Hasler said.
"He’s still contracted for 2026, so we’ll get him back on his feet after ankle surgery and running."
However, he could be running directly to Redfern, according to a report in The Courier Mail.
"Fifita has been given permission to leave the Gold Coast," Peter Badel first reported on the eve of the club’s clash against New Zealand.
"Fifita’s career at the Titans is all but over after being given permission to negotiate with rival clubs."
Since his switch from Brisbane, where Bennett handed him his NRL debut as a teenager, Fifita has largely failed to live up to the expectations attached to his lucrative pay packet.
Certainly, his maiden campaign on the Gold Coast in 2021, which produced 17 tries in 22 games, is now a distant memory.
Yet Hasler tried to brush off any doubts surrounding the forward's future before news broke of his impending exit.
"Yes, he is," the coach stated when asked if Fifita was still in his plans for next season.
"We don’t discuss those kinds of questions," Hasler replied when pushed on whether the Titans could release him in the future.
"He’s contracted here for next year."