Gold Coast's most promising forward Cooper Bai has credited the ethos and leadership of club co-captain Tino Fa'asuamalaeaui for his decision to re-sign.
The new Titans era under rookie NRL coach Josh Hannay was in the balance in February as both players weighed up their futures.
Papua New Guinea international Bai, 19, knocked back Melbourne to extend until the end of 2027, one day after co-captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui committed his future to the club until at least 2030.
"That was a big part of me staying ... and my own personal beliefs. Tino has been massive for this club," Bai said.
"He was a big influence as the captain and just with the amount of effort that he puts into keeping this club together and moving forward."
Bai reached out to Fa'asuamaleaui after the recent death of his father to offer support.
"I am here for him, as is everyone else here at the club," Bai said.
Fa'asuamaleaui, after grieving and supporting his family, rejoined the Queensland camp to play at the MCG in game two of the State of Origin series, was critical of his own form at the start of this season.
At the time he was visiting Fereti in Gympie and juggling challenging family commitments with leading his club.
"He's been one of the best leaders I've been under," Bai said.
"For him to go and see his dad so often and be there for his family 24/7 and here for us 24/7 shows his character and who he is. He is a really good dude willing to put everything before himself.
"When people were getting up him for his numbers not being too high, we were just playing to our system.
"He was playing really good footy. We continue to back him. He's been playing Origin again and I don't believe he has been out of form at all."
Bai has found his groove and has been elevated to start after beginning the season on the bench. He will play lock against Penrith at Robina on Saturday afternoon.
"I've been loving starting," Bai said.
"I like the role and the trust I have from Josh to start and get that first impact in the game."
Fa'asuamaleaui will relish having the young gun by his side in the tough days ahead. The Test prop went out of his way to blaze a trail at Gold Coast for Bai to follow.
"When I got back from the Ashes I pulled Cooper aside and said, 'what's going on?' I spoke to him about my situation and where I was at," Fa'asuamaleaui told AAP.
"He vented to me about where his head was at and then we caught up a few times. I guess he was just waiting to see what I was doing. I'm glad he stayed because he is the future of the Titans."
