Hasler eager to down Ricky's Raiders in Sunday Easter treat
Des Hasler is under no illusions how tough the Raiders will be to conquer on Easter Sunday.
Ricky Stuart's men have been one of the surprise packets of the 2025 competition, currently in the top four with a 4-2 record and are eying three wins on the trot after a strong fortnight against the Sharks and Eels.
For Gold Coast, it's been a different past 14 days to their opposition due to disappointing performances against the Dolphins and Dragons, but Hasler knows the chance to strike is this weekend, especially returning home with an important two points for the taking to keep themselves in touch with the top eight.
"It's very important... we're back home this weekend and that's the last they'll see us at home for the next month. The next four weeks after this weekend are away," he said.
"We're against a Raiders side that are playing an uncompromising kind of footy so they'll be very tough."
Match: Titans v Raiders
Round 7 -
home Team
Titans
13th Position
away Team
Raiders
3rd Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Pivotal to the green machines' success has been their playmaking linchpin Jamal Fogarty, who is no stranger to Cbus Super Stadium after 41 appearances for the Titans.
Third in the competition for try assists with five in his opening six games, it's the 31-year-old's attacking kicks that have proved to be most dangerous - leading the competition in that key statistic - but his success has also been thanks to the work of their forwards and back five who have helped set up the Raiders No. 7.
"The combination of [Jamal] and their forwards are laying a really good platform for the side, and they have a lot of genuine speed in their outside backs," Hasler said.
"They're constantly probing and always asking questions.
"They're very unconventional in the sense they've got great second phase mantra going, so it'll be a challenging game."
But the return of powerhouse flyer Jojo Fifita and inspirational captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui will go a long way to helping the Titans getting the chocolates on Easter Sunday - the duo big inclusions to bolster the starting side who have had to battle several injuries in the opening month of the competition.
"Our outside backs have been a bit depleted, hence why Beau Fermor has been filling in there the last fortnight; but it's good to get Jojo back and Tino brings a lot of go forward for our side," Hasler said.
"It'll be a great clash... the weather will be good so we'll see plenty of fans out there."
