Bennett in plea to Tino for 2023
THE Dolphins have turned up the heat on the Titans in the battle for Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, with super coach Wayne Bennett holding talks with the Queensland Origin star.
Bennett wants to convince the Titans enforcer he blooded as a Maroon to be the marquee poster boy of Brisbane’s new second team in 2023.
But the Titans remain hopeful they can trump the Dolphins in a big-money bidding war, with the Gold Coast having tabled a four-year upgrade to Fa’asuamaleaui worth $3.3m.
The Dolphins are the frontrunners to secure the signature of Melbourne hooker Brandon Smith and believe Fa’asuamaleaui would be the perfect addition to spearhead the 17th NRL team’s engine room.
While he is tied to the Titans until the end of 2023, he has an option in his favour in the final year, giving him the contractual scope to join the Dolphins in their inaugural season.
The 21-year-old is expected to make a call within a fortnight. His manager said the Titans had the inside running, but Fa’asuamaleaui was seriously weighing up the new outfit.
“The Dolphins have expressed interest in Tino,” agent Simon Mammino said. “Both clubs are attractive,
so it’s a really tough one ... I
think he is leaning towards staying, but the chance to be coached by Wayne and be closer to his family in Gympie is a definite consideration.”
It is understood the Dolphins’ offer is comparable with that tabled by the Titans.
The new franchise is hoping Bennett can be its trump card, given the coach gave Fa’asuamaleaui his Origin debut last November and the pair forged a bond.
But Fa’asuamaleaui also has strong ties at the Titans.
Titans coach Justin Holbrook believes the player can be a future captain if he stays loyal to the Gold Coast.
“We’d obviously love to keep him,” Holbrook said.
“We love how much he’s bought into the club. He will only be 22 next year but he is such a natural leader with his actions.
“He’s only had one year here but has really bought into not just his own ability, but how much he wants our whole team to improve.
“He has become really invested in such a short time. That’s what I love about him.”