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NZTITAN
TITANS UP THE ANTE FOR TINO
TINO Fa’asuamaleaui is set for a $3 million payday with the Titans keen to table a lucrative new deal to stave off an expansion poaching war for the Queensland Origin giant.
Sport Confidential can reveal the Titans will kick-off contract upgrade talks with Fa’asuamaleaui amid revelations a second Brisbane team is set for entry to Telstra Premiership in 2023.
Big Tino is contracted to the Titans until the end of 2023, but has a 12-month option in his favour, meaning he is technically free to field formal offers from November 1 this year.
With a new Brisbane second team likely to be named within the next month, the 17th club will be on the hunt for marquee recruits and Fa’asuamaleaui ticks all the boxes as a homegrown Queenslander.
For that reason, the Titans aren’t mucking around and are keen to lock in the 21-year-old for the long haul. It is understood the Gold Coast are open to a four or five-year deal, worth at least $800,000 a season, to ensure the premiership-winning former Storm monster spearheads the Titans’ revival.
“I’m set here,” Tino said last week.
“I want to make this home and make this a powerful club in the future.
“I’m happy here and love all these boys. We’re very close.
“I want to focus on playing good football for the team and whatever happens happens.
“I want to be a Titan for life.”