Gold Coast CEO Steve Mitchell says wrapping up off-contract half Kieran Foran is a priority and insists club captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui will remain for the duration of his contract.
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The Titans confirmed on Wednesday that boom forward David Fifita was staying at the club after exercising a two-year option in his favour and spurning a four-year offer from Sydney Roosters.
The option had technically lapsed last Thursday but the Titans went ahead and endorsed it on the original financial terms, Mitchell said.
Fifita is on approximately $1 million per season. If he'd left that would have given the club scope to scour the market for an elite half or hooker.
Foran, 33, is in stellar form and told AAP recently he wanted to stay on beyond this year. Mitchell was effusive when asked whether the club would re-sign the playmaker and stand-in captain and insisted re-signing Fifita was no impediment to the club's salary cap plans.
"From a game management point of view Kieran has been exceptional in that (No.7) jersey," Mitchell said.
"We want Kieran with us for as long as we can keep him on the field. From a leadership point of view, on and off field, he has been exceptional for us.
"Moving forward the spine is a crucial position. There are a lot of really developed spine members (in the NRL) that are going to move out over the coming years.
"We are not the only organisation faced with that and expansion will play more of a role in that over the next five years.
"Having Dave is a real priority. Dave for us playing on that edge and with this group, and with Tino coming back into the middle next year, is a big part of our promise about delivering success for the Coast and we are pumped to have him."
Fa'asuamaleaui, out of action with a season-ending knee injury, signed a 10-year deal in 2023 but has options in his favour after three seasons.
Mitchell was asked if the club was worried the club would go through a similar circus to the Fifita saga.
"I don't believe so," Mitchell said.
"Tino is up and about and coming back with his ACL recovery. He is at the club a lot and excited about the future, and talking about delivering the club our first premiership."
Fa'asuamaleaui's manager Simon Mammino said his client had no plans to leave the club.
"Tino is invested in the Titans and the coach Des Hasler, and where the place is heading," Mammino told AAP.
"He is very happy there and hasn't thought that far ahead. At this stage he has no plans to leave the Gold Coast Titans."
Australian Associated Press
