Gold Coast Titans

History

Formation

The beginnings of a Gold Coast team's bid to return to the National Rugby League began when the Australian Rugby League decided to remove the financially successful Gold Coast Chargers from the National Rugby League at the end of the 1998 Season. The ARL wanted to have a second major team based in Brisbane and believed the best way to achieve this was by removing the Gold Coast team from the competition. The attempt to launch a second Brisbane team failed and in 1999, Michael Searle, former Gold Coast Chargers player and Managing Director of International Sports Australia, formed a Gold Coast Bid Team. The team included former Chargers boss Paul Broughton and was labelled as "The Gold Coast Consortium" by the media. The board was constantly active in lobbying the NRL to both expand the competition and consider the Gold Coast's bid for inclusion. It was successful in organising pre-season NRL trial matches to be hosted on the Gold Coast and with average attendances of over 16,000, and peak attendances topping 20,000, the popularity of rugby league on the Coast was clear.

I firmly believe rugby league should be looking to expand. The Gold Coast area is growing at a phenomenal rate. There are 89 rugby league teams in Gold Coast primary schools and 59 teams in Gold Coast high schools representing about 2,300 young players. That's just schoolboys.

If the catchment area includes the region from South Brisbane to Byron Bay in northern NSW, then it covers a rugby league heartland starving for recognition. These areas would only blossom even more if the young players had a senior team in the NRL competition to which they could aspire.

South-east Queensland needs another NRL team desperately and for a whole host of reasons.

In August 2004, the NRL rejected Michael Searle's bid for re-adding a Gold Coast team. However, later, during an episode of Nine Network's The NRL Footy Show, the "Gold Coast Consortium" announced their team name and jersey to the public from the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. Initially the team was to be named the Gold Coast Dolphins, with the team colours to be white, jade and orange. While the Dolphins moniker was popular among many, the heavyweight Brisbane Queensland Cup side the Redcliffe Dolphins saw it as a threat for any prospect of entering the NRL they had, and as a result threatened severe legal action if the Gold Coast used the Dolphins name. Midway through that year the National Rugby League announced that after viewing submissions from the Gold Coast Dolphins, the Central Coast Bears and the Wellington Orcas, there would not be a 16th team included in the 2006 NRL competition. Reasons given to the Gold Coast was the National Rugby Leagues concern over the quality and capacity of their home ground, Carrara Stadium, which is an oval and only seats 16,000 (although it has been known to fit in 23,000 after minor redevelopment).

2007–2008: Laying the foundations

In February 2007, the Titans played their historic first game in a trial against the previous season's Minor-Premiers and Grand Finalists Melbourne Storm, previously the newest club in the League (apart from the merged teams). They were beaten in the club's first hit-out but over the following weeks, Cartwright fielded his full-strength team in two other pre-season trials, winning 22–10 over the Parramatta Eels for the club's first victory. The following week in the team first played in front of their home fans on the Gold Coast, they ran out 28–6 winners over the Penrith Panthers. Although merely trial matches, the signs were positive for the Titans' debut season to come.

The Titans played their first official match in round 1 of the 2007 NRL season against the St. George Illawarra Dragons. Their first game was moved from their home ground, Carrara Stadium, to Lang Park in Brisbane due to the huge demand of fans eager to see the new Gold Coast outfit in action, and on 18 March 2007, in front of over 42,000 people they made their debut. Gold Coast performed admirably but after falling 14 points behind in the second half 20–6 they could not manage a full comeback losing a tight match 20–18. Former Queensland State of Origin winger Chris Walker, who had been released by Melbourne Storm due to off-field troubles in 2006, started his rugby league comeback scoring two tries and two conversions for a 14-point haul for the Titans.

The close loss to St. George Illawarra would not last long in the memories of Titans fans as a week later the Gold Coast franchise recorded their first official victory in another tight match, winning 18–16 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at home. The start of the season saw the Titans only manage four wins in the first ten rounds but a mid-season five-week-long winning streak of four wins and a bye saw the Titans sitting in the top four at the conclusion of round 15. The streak was ended in a poor 22–6 loss against the Warriors at home, then they slumped to a five-match losing streak which included a golden point loss to the Brisbane Broncos in Round 17 and a 56–10 loss at the hands of the Canberra Raiders in Round 18. The Gold Coast would not register another win until round 21, but by then they had already slipped to 11th position and needed to obtain maximum points from the final four rounds to confirm a spot in the finals in their maiden season. The side only managed one win from the final four matches, however, missing out on the finals. In the final round, a 50–6 thrashing at the hands of [Melbourne Storm] ended the Titans' debut season on somewhat of a sour note, with the young Gold Coast franchise finishing the season in 12th position with 10 wins, 14 losses and a bye for 22 competition points.

2009–2010: First finals appearance

The Titans secured four new signings for the 2009 season in Sam Tagataese, Matthew White, Jackson Nicolau and Raiders speedster William Zillman.

Similar to the Titans previous seasons, they find themselves on top of the competition ladder after six rounds sitting on ten premiership points alongside their rivals the Brisbane Broncos. Early victories against the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Melbourne Storm away from home without skipper Scott Prince, silenced many of their critics who believed they could not win away from the holiday strip or without their veteran halfback.

Many of the Titans NYC side made their debut and turned into regular first-graders, such as Esi Tonga, David Mead and Kevin Gordon. Kayne Lawton, Bodene Thompson and Selasi Berdie also made their NRL debut.

The club's most successful season so far saw them finish in third position, which was in 2009. They were two points behind the competition front-runners St. George Illawarra Dragons and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. In the 2009 finals series, they lost their qualifying final 40–32 against the Brisbane Broncos, then lost the semi-final 27–2 against the Parramatta Eels.

The Titans signed five new players for the 2010 season in Joe Tomane, Marshall Chalk, Riley Brown, Clinton Toopi, Greg Bird and Steve Michaels

The Titans lost a number of players for the 2010 season, including Ben Jeffery, Brenton Bowen, Chris Walker, Daniel Conn, Brett Delaney and Siosaia Vave.

For the second year in succession the Titans qualified for the finals, finishing 4th and thereby earning a home qualifying final against the fifth-placed Warriors. The Titans' 28–16 win, coupled with losses for two other top four teams, meant that the Titans earned the week off and a right to host a preliminary final at the larger Lang Park, which turned out to be its 100th ever premiership match. The Titans lost to the resurgent Sydney Roosters, 32–6, ending their season one week short of the Grand Final. After 2010 the Titans finished up 4th overall in the 2010 NRL season, with Mat Rogers retiring at the conclusion of the season.

2011–2012: The wooden spoon and player turnover

During the off-season the Titans lost inspirational five-eighth Mat Rogers to retirement.

To date the Titans have recorded their worst-ever start to a season, losing four of their first five matches against St. George Illawarra, Melbourne, the Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland by scorelines of 16–25, 16–38, 10–12 and 16–20, respectively. They never recovered from their horror start to the year only winning 6 games all year which is their worst season to date finishing on 16 points and receiving the wooden spoon.

The Titans signed seven new players for the 2012 season including former Australian and NSW representative Jamal Idris and current QLD representative Nate Myles former Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks prop Luke Douglas They also lost key foundation players such as Preston Campbell, Anthony Laffranchi, Nathan Friend and Mat Rogers.

The club started their 2012 with an impressive 18–0 win over the North Queensland Cowboys away from home. However, the success was very short-lived, losing the next five in a row, four of which were at home. round 7 saw Aidan Sezer make his NRL debut against the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval. The Titans produced a 26–14 upset, with Sezer scoring in his debut. Debutant for the Titans Jamal Idris coughing up two tries in the round 7 match-up. The next two games were losses.

From rounds 10–21, the Gold Coast side managed a mid season revival. In the period, the club only lost three times, with seven wins and two byes. The revival was not enough to push them into the finals, as they lost four of their last five matches.

In March 2012 it was found that the Gold Coast had fallen into $35 million debt. The team fought wind-up proceedings in the Federal Court and managed to survive the crippling situation. Newly appointed CEO David May revealed that the club was debt free in 2013.

2013–2014: Promising starts, mid-season fadeouts and salary cap breach

The Titans only signed a handful of players for the 2013 season, most notably Australian and Queensland representative Dave Taylor, as well as controversial halfback Albert Kelly, who had been sacked from his previous 2 clubs. The club, however, also lost their captain Scott Prince to the Brisbane Broncos.

The club managed to win 4 of their first 6 matches to put themselves in the top 8. They then lost consecutive matches against the Newcastle Knights and the Warriors. Since then, the club and won another 4 from their next 6, to put them at 5th on the ladder. An injury to form centre Jamal Idris for the rest of the season derailed their promising campaign. The club their next 4 matches, seeing them slide outside the top 8. Prop Ryan James hit a purple patch of form in the last 6 rounds. However, the club only managed to win 3 of these 6 games, which was not enough to push them inside the top 8. The Titans finished on 26 points, 2 points behind the 8th placed North Queensland Cowboys

During the season, the Gold Coast Titans managed to break their widest-ever winning margin (heading into the season) three times. Their biggest-ever win before 2013 was by 26 points against the Parramatta Eels back in 2007. In 2013, the club managed a 36-point win over the Canberra Raiders, a 38-point win over the Parramatta Eels, and a 28-point win over the Wests Tigers. Another positive to come out of the season was the new halves pairing of Albert Kelly and Aiden Sezer, who played the majority of the season alongside one another.

Before the 2014 season started, the Gold Coast Titans lost marquee centre Jamal Idris to the Penrith Panthers. The centre left the club only 2 years into his 5-year contract, because he wanted to be closer to his family in Sydney. The Titans did not sign any marquee players for the 2014 season, but did pick up Penrith centre Brad Tighe, Melbourne utility Maurice Blair, and Bulldogs forward Paul Carter. One of the Titan's foundation players, Luke O'Dwyer, also retired.

The beginning of the 2014 season look promising for the Titans. The club managed to win 5 of their first 6 games, putting them at outright 1st on the NRL ladder. This period included a 4-game winning streak, including a nail biting Queensland derby against the Brisbane Broncos, and a controversial 2-point win over the Melbourne Storm in Melbourne. In rounds 7 and 8, the club recorded a 2-point loss to the Panthers, and a 14-point win over the Wests Tigers in Sydney. However, the promising start to the year ended there. The club then suffered 6 straight losses, 5 of which were at their home ground. Round 17 saw the Titans record their first win in over two months, with an ugly 4-point win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs. However, the club then suffered a defeat by the out of form Canberra Raiders on the Gold Coast. In round 19, the Titans travelled to Newcastle for the cornerstone match in the 'Rise for Alex Round'. The Titans managed to produce a 22–6 upset win. Since then, however, the club has lost another 6 straight games, including a dismal 42–0 loss to the Warriors. This would be the first time the club has been held to nil since their inception in 2007.

2015–2019: NRL takeover; Return to the Finals and disastrous years

On 24 February, the club was placed into voluntary administration and its licence was transferred to the NRL in February 2015.

One day before the 2015 NRL season kicked off, Daly Cherry-Evans announced he would join the club on a four-year deal starting from 2016, with the deal reported to be worth over $1 million a season. Titans Chief Executive Officer, Graham Annesley, stated "I think this signing sends a positive sign to the rugby league world that this club does have a future and it can attract quality players and it can turn itself around." However, on 3 June 2015, Cherry-Evans reneged his deal with the Titans, and re-signed with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.

After the money from Cherry-Evans' contract was freed up, due to him no longer joining the club for the 2016 season and beyond, the Titans signed a handful of players during the off-season. Signings included halves Tyrone Roberts and Ashley Taylor from the Newcastle Knights and Brisbane Broncos, respectively, former Titans hooker Nathan Friend from the Warriors, props David Shillington and Zeb Taia from the Canberra Raiders and Catalans Dragons, and premiership winning second-rower Chris McQueen from the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

The first half of the Titans' season was shaky, having won six games, and also losing six games, sitting in the Top 8 by the end of Round 13. During this time, the Gold Coast added Warriors centre Konrad Hurrell to their roster, as well as former Parramatta hooker Nathan Peats, who was forced out of his former club due to the club's ongoing salary cap scandal. On 3 August, the club ultimately made up for the reneging of Daly Cherry Evans by signing two-time Dally M medal winner and cross code superstar Jarryd Hayne, who was available to play for the club immediately and was signed until 2017. By Round 26's end, the Gold Coast won 11 games, drew 1 and lost 12, earning 27 premiership points in total. This allowed the club to return to the NRL Finals for the first time since 2010, after the 9th-placed Wests Tigers lost 52–10 to the Canberra Raiders.

The men from the glitter strip played the Brisbane Broncos in a controversial elimination final on 10 September and were knocked out 44–28, ending their 2016 season.

2020–2025: Holbrook appointed, on-field inconsistency, Hasler appointed

At the start of the 2020 NRL season, the Gold Coast lost their first three matches before defeating the Wests Tigers 28–23 at Lang Park. The victory was the club's first win in 364 days.

The Gold Coast improved significantly in Holbrook's first season, finishing in 9th position, the club's best finish since 2016. The club finished the season with a five game win streak over St. George Illawarra, Canterbury-Bankstown, Brisbane, Manly-Warringah and Newcastle; however, only one of those wins were against a team who made the finals. They also had close losses against Penrith (who finished 1st) and the Sydney Roosters (who finished 4th).

The club recruited heavily for the 2021 NRL season, securing the signings of forwards David Fifita, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Herman Ese'ese.

In the 2021 NRL season, the club secured 8th position with a 44–0 victory over New Zealand on the last day of the regular season, the best in club history. The Gold Coast reached the finals after highly unlikely circumstances after going into the final round in 11th place. The club needed both Cronulla-Sutherland and Canberra to lose their matches and they were also required to win their match over New Zealand by more than 12 points.

In week one of the 2021 Finals Series, the Gold Coast played in the elimination final against the Sydney Roosters where they lost 25–24 ending their season.

Following the conclusion of the 2021 NRL season, Gold Coast CEO Steve Mitchell declared the club would be launching a strategic plan over the next nine years which included the club winning two premierships by 2030 and having sold out crowds for every home game at Robina Stadium with every seat being allocated to a member of the club. The statement was considered bold by sections of the media given the fact that no Gold Coast team had ever reached a grand final before and that the club also had the lowest number of memberships in the NRL.

The Gold Coast started the 2022 NRL season looking to build on 2021 and make back to back finals appearances for the first time since 2010. However, the Gold Coast would only win two of their opening four matches and then went on to lose 16 of their next 18 games. By round 20, the Gold Coast sat bottom of the table and were in danger of claiming another wooden spoon; however, the club would win three of their last four matches to finish 13th on the table.

Emblem and colours

Although they were accepted into the National Rugby League, they were without a name after dropping "Dolphins" in order to avoid legal action from the Redcliffe Dolphins. The consortium aligned themselves with Gold Coast Radio Station 90.9 Sea FM, and set up a competition in which listeners could submit possible names for the new team. This was shortlisted into ten names, which through online voting was shortened to three: Titans, Stingers and Pirates. Online voting continued, with team being branded as the Gold Coast Titans on 21 September 2005. After the team name was chosen, fans were given six jerseys to vote for on the club's website, with option 6 ultimately being successful.

In October 2021, Gold Coast Titans launched a new look to take the young club into the future.The re-designed logo brought in the Titans' core colours that were designed to reflect the Gold Coast home and modernises the iconic emblem. The contemporary logo shows a steely determination, reflective of the ambitions of the Titans players, coaches and staff. It was the club's first rebrand since admittance into the competition in 2007.

Stadium

For their first season in the National Rugby League, the Titans played out of Carrara Stadium on Nerang-Broadbeach Road, while their 27,000-seat stadium in Robina was being completed. Carrara Stadium was cited as one of the main reasons the Gold Coast bid was rejected in their first attempt to rejoin the NRL, due to the fact that Carrara only seated around 16,000, and was an oval.

Work on the new stadium commenced at the end of 2005, and the facility was ready for play before the start of the 2008 NRL season. The project was managed by the same company that constructed Lang Park, the Gabba, and Stadium Australia—the Sydney 2000 Olympic Stadium. The new stadium has a current (2024) capacity of 27,690—2,690 more than originally planned for.

Titans TV

The Gold Coast Titans operate a TV channel, Titans TV, that serves the Gold Coast area and is carried by Foxtel on the Gold Coast. Its main programming features match highlights and player biographies.

Players

Although other players may play for the Gold Coast Titans during the year, all NRL clubs are required to select a top 25 First Grade squad at the beginning of the season. Below is the list of their first grade players.

2026 signings/transfers

Gains

Kurtis Morrin from Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Luke Sommerton from Penrith Panthers

Lachlan Ilias from St. George Illawarra Dragons

Jett Liu from St. George Illawarra Dragons

Siale Faeamani from Penrith Panthers

Jensen Taumoepeau from Canberra Raiders

Losses

Kieran Foran to Retired

Ryan Foran to Released

Ben Liyou to Released

Javon Andrews to West Tigers

Josiah Pahulu to Melbourne Storm

Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui to Catalan Dragons

Jacob Alick-Wiencke to Leigh Leopards

Ken Maumalo to Retired

Ryder Williams to Newcastle Knights

Harley Smith-Shields to Released

Tom Weaver to Castleford Tigers

Sean Mullany to Mackay Cutters

Reagan Campbell-Gillard to London Broncos

Carter Gordon to Queensland Reds

Alofiana Khan-Pereira to New Zealand Warriors

Sam Stephenson to Medically Retired

Coaches

There have been 9 coaches of the Titans since their first season in 2007.

The current coach is Josh Hannay.

Player stats

Most tries

(as of round 25, 2026)

Most points

(as of round 10, 2026)

(*) player still active in the Gold Coast Titans team.

Most games

(as of round 27, 2026)

Team Stats

Honours

Club

Premierships: Nil

Minor Premierships: Nil

Finals series: 2009, 2010, 2016, 2021

Wooden Spoons: 2011, 2019

XXXX Derby: 2024

Individual

The Paul Broughton Medal, a 400 gram pure titanium medal, is awarded annually to the Titans' best and fairest player for the season. 'The Preston' is named in honour of foundation player Preston Campbell and is presented to the player who truly embodies what it is to be a Titan.

Sponsorship

James Frizelle's Automotive Group & Audi Centre Gold Coast, a local car dealership, signed on as the first major sponsorship partner for the franchise, with a deal lasting three years.

The Gold Coast Titans officially became the "Jetstar Gold Coast Titans", on 20 September 2006, with the announcement of a five-year multimillion-dollar naming rights sponsorship with Jetstar.

Later in 2006 Castlemaine Perkins, brewer of XXXX beer, signed a five-year sponsorship agreement with the Titans. Using the XXXX Bitter brand, Castlemaine Perkins is now a Platinum Sponsor of the Titans.

In 2024, The Lottery Office became the new principal sponsorship partner of the Titans.

Manufacturers

2007–2009: Reebok

2010–2013: Adidas

2014–2016: BLK

2017–2018: Classic

2019–present: Dynasty Sport

Naming rights

2007–2012: Jetstar

2013–2014: iSelect

2015–2017: Aquis

2018: TFH Hire

2019–2021: NEDS betting

2024–present: The Lottery Office

Chest sponsors

2007–2011: Jetstar

2012–2014: iSelect

2015–2017: Aquis

2018: TFH Hire

2019–2021: NEDS betting

2024–present: The Lottery Office

Back sponsors

2007: Marina Quays (Top) / Australian Gas & Power (Bottom)

2008: Marina Quays (Top) / Australian Gas & Power (Bottom)

2009: Marina Quays (Top) / Australian Gas & Power (Bottom)

2010: Australian Gas & Power (Bottom)

2011: Australian Gas & Power (Top) / ThyssenKrupp Elevator (Bottom)

2012: iSelect (Top) / Learn Earn Legend (Bottom)

2013: Illuminated Water (Top) / BetEzy (Bottom)

2014: Global Road Technology (Top) / BetEzy (Bottom)

2015: Global Road Technology (Top) / Jabbry.com (Bottom)

2016: TripADeal (Top) / Ladbrokes (Bottom)

2017: TripADeal (Top) / Ladbrokes (Bottom)

2018: TripADeal (Top) / MP Commercial Logistics(Bottom)

2019: TripADeal (Top) / Orbitz Elevators (Bottom)

2020: Village Roadshow Theme Parks (Top) / Orbitz Elevators (Bottom)

2021: Village Roadshow Theme Parks (Top) / MyPayNow (Bottom)

2022: Village Roadshow Theme Parks (Top) / Evolve Legal (Bottom)

2023: Village Roadshow Theme Parks (Top) / Chempro (Bottom)

Sleeve sponsors

2007–2010: ABC Brick Sales

2011–2014: Coral Homes

2016: Ladbrokes

2017–2018: TripADeal

2019–2020: TFH Hire

2021–present: emoney

Shorts sponsors

2007: DTBS (Front) / Harvey Norman (Back)

2008–2011: Professional Investment Services (Front) / Harvey Norman (Back)

2012: Audi Centre Gold Coast (Home) / Jetstar (Away) / Harvey Norman (Back)

2013–2014: Hyundai (Front) / Zarraffas Coffee (Back)

2015: LEDified (Back)

2016–2017: Frizelles (Front) / LEDified (Back)

2019: Frizelle Sunshine (Front) / NEDS betting (Back)

2020–present: Harcourts Coastal (Front) / Coral Homes (Back)

Supporters

The official Gold Coast Titans supporter group is known as "The Legion". The Legion was formed in late 2006 via the Titans online forum. The Legion was founded during the Panthers pre season 2007 trial match with three fans (Brad Newman, Steve Lippis and Dennis Mulheron) in attendance under the Northern goal posts at Carrara Stadium. The trio gained support from other fans and the Legion started to get momentum and numbers. They continued to congregate under the Northern goal posts for several years until the Legion were moved to the Eastern stand at Robina Stadium and now those core group Legion members are known as "The Legion Frontline". Since entering the competition, the Gold Coast have recorded the lowest number of memberships out of all the NRL teams on a yearly basis.

On 10 March 2020, the Titans officially embraced the name "Legion" for the entire Titans fanbase. It was decided that "The Legion" was the perfect fit for this purpose—for its symbolic reference to military and gladiatorial strength, as well as a rallying call for Titans supporters to "Join our Legion".

Home crowd figures

Notable fans

Michael Caton, TV personality

Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner

Joel Parkinson, Australian surfer

Margot Robbie, Actress

Samantha Stosur, Australian tennis player

Bernard Tomic, German-born Australian tennis player

Kenny Wallace, Australian canoeist

Dane Clarke, Clarkey's Rugby League Column

Cheer squad

The Gold Coast Hogs Breath Cafe Sirens are the cheerleading squad for the Gold Coast Titans.

Feeder clubs

Since joining the National Rugby League for Season 2007, the Titans have aligned themselves with three Queensland Cup clubs:

Tweed Heads Seagulls (Current)

Burleigh Bears (former)

Ipswich Jets (Current)

In 2009, the Burleigh Bears linked with the Brisbane Broncos. However, by the end of the year this arrangement was cancelled, and the Bears re-linked with the Titans.

During preseason before the 2017 NRL season, the Gold Coast Titans announced the new affiliation with the Central Queensland Capras

In 2023, the Burleigh Bears aligned themselves with the Brisbane Broncos for 2024–26. cancelling this arrangement with Titans, ending their 14-year affiliation.

Later in the year the Ipswich Jets announced an affiliation with the Titans for their 2024 season.

Netball

In December 2021 it was announced that Gold Coast Titans would enter a team in the 2022 Sapphire Series.