The Queensland great feels the coach’s dressing room moment may have an impact.
Gold Coast Titans coach Des Hasler will be in charge of his 500th game in the NRL this week in a special milestone for the veteran and Darren Lockyer believes the players will be up for game and deliver a win for their leader. Reports claim the clash against the Warriors could be Hasler’s final game in charge of the club with the Gold Coast Titans hierarchy allowing him to reach the milestone before he departs.
Earlier in the season, reports emerged the Titans have the option in Hasler’s contract to part ways with the coach if the club don’t make the top eight. And Hasler has failed to inspire the Titans in 2025 with the club mathematically out of finals contention. There is also speculation he could retire at the end of the season.
But despite injuries to a number of key players, including captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Lockyer believes the players could be up for the game to hand Hasler a win on the special occasion. Hasler was seen in an epic post-match spray in the change rooms last week and it was captured on camera and quickly circulated online.
Hasler looked furious in the footage and could be seen calling back players from the showers to continue delivering what one can only imagine was an almighty serve from the veteran coach after the loss to the Tigers. Plenty has been made of the incident, but it remains to be seen if his actions got through to the players.
And speaking on Channel Nine’s QLDER show, Lockyer claimed the milestone 500th game and the epic spray might just inspire the Titans side with little to play for at the backend of the season. “I think the Titans will beat the Warriors in New Zealand. I just think given they were close last weekend, the shower spray…and look the Warriors did well to get out of trouble against the Knights. And it’s Hasler’s 500th,” Lockyer said for his prediction.
As if they need more inspiration, Kieran Foran will captain the Titans in his final NRL game in New Zealand in front of friends and family. Hasler will become just the sixth coach to reach the 500 game milestone after legends Wayne Bennett, Tim Sheens, Brian Smith, Craig Bellamy and Ricky Stuart.
Titans owner defends Des Hasler after spray
Gold Coast Titans owner Rebecca Frizelle was in the sheds for Hasler’s spray and happened to be right along side him during the incident. And speaking to The Courier Mail, Frizelle said it showed Hasler takes every loss to heart. “We obviously have a coach who cares and hurts as much as we all do,” Frizelle said.
Meanwhile, NRL great Mark ‘Spud’ Carroll feels Hasler deserves to see out the season having suggested the Titans players haven’t aimed up. “He is a good coach, he drives the players hard,” Carroll said. “He loves winning. I feel like some of the guys up at the Titans…they don’t like being told what to do. They don’t like the Dessie way. I feel for him, 500 games,” Carroll said on 2GB Radio.
“I think he should,” Carroll added about Hasler seeing out the season. “But some of these players need to have a look in the mirror and play for the badge and also their supporters.”
After the loss to the Tigers, Hasler claimed the team played “dumb” footy to surrender a 20-16 lead with four minutes remaining. “It’s really disappointing that in the second half we fumble, we bumble, we miss tackles, we throw balls over the sideline, we get carried over the sideline and we complete 9 from 15 sets,” the former premiership-winning coach said.
