The Gold Coast Titans are making a final attempt to keep young star Cooper Bai from joining the Melbourne Storm. The 19-year-old lock has delayed his decision, giving the Titans a chance to secure his long-term future.
The Gold Coast Titans are making a last-ditch effort to keep young star Cooper Bai from joining the Melbourne Storm . Recent developments indicate that Bai, who had initially planned to move to the Storm, is now reconsidering his options. Titans coach Josh Hannay and football boss Scott Sattler have engaged in urgent discussions with Bai, hoping to convince him to stay with the club.
Bai, a 19-year-old lock, played a single game for the Titans during his rookie season in 2025, debuting in the final round victory against the Tigers. He also represented Papua New Guinea in three Test matches during the Pacific Championships, scoring a try. His talent has drawn significant attention, and the Storm had been actively pursuing him. Bai is currently under contract with the Titans until the end of the 2026 season. However, he surprised the club before Christmas by expressing his intention to join the Storm in 2027 and beyond. The Storm reportedly presented Bai with a lucrative offer, and they were privately confident they had secured his signature. However, he did not sign a contract, creating an opportunity for the Titans to intervene. The Titans have reportedly offered Bai a new three-year extension that would see him remain on the Gold Coast until at least the end of 2029. The Roosters were also interested in Bai, but they have withdrawn from the competition, believing his move to the Storm was a done deal. Losing Bai would be a substantial setback for coach Hannay’s plans to rebuild the Titans around local junior talent. NRL legend Gorden Tallis has lauded Bai, the son of former Storm winger Marcus Bai, as one of the most promising young forwards in the game. Cooper Bai’s father, Marcus Bai, who played 144 games for the Storm and won a premiership in 1999, is thought to be a significant influence on his son’s decision-making process. The elder Bai reportedly believes Cooper could benefit from working under the guidance of coach Craig Bellamy at the Storm, a club renowned for its success over the past two decades. However, the Titans’ latest offer has complicated matters, and Bai is now delaying his final decision until he has played some trial games and further considered his choices. When Hannay took over as Titans coach last year, retaining Bai was one of his top priorities. Hannay has openly praised Bai’s potential. He recognizes Bai’s outstanding reputation as a rising player, particularly in southeast Queensland. Hannay believes Bai has immense potential and the necessary qualities to have a long and successful career with the Titans
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