Gold Coast have denied a release request from the management of Titans rookie-of-the-year Josiah Pahulu to join Canterbury.
The 20-year-old, signed until the end of 2025, emerged in 2024 as the club's most promising young forward.
The dispute has arisen, AAP has been told, over an alleged $40,000 bonus Pahulu would have received had he played 20 matches in the most recent season.
He played 19 games.
Pahulu played the round-24 clash against St George Illawarra. The Titans subsequently said in a release he would miss the next week's showdown against Sydney Roosters with an abductor injury.
He returned against Newcastle in the 36-14 loss in 20 minutes off the interchange bench but did not play after that.
AAP has been told the Titans will "not be bullied" into releasing Pahulu.
There is no doubt he impressed the people that count at the Titans after captain and prop Tino Fa'asuamaleaui was rubbed out for the season with a knee injury.
It is why Pahulu is a player the Titans want to keep.
"He was super for us," Titans playmaker Kieran Foran said.
"He jumped out of the ground ,Josiah.
"Off the back of Tino's ACL injury we needed a young guy to stand up and he certainly filled that void for us.
"He was amazing. I am not too sure what is happening on his contract side of things. That will work itself out but he is training at the moment and he looks like he is ripping in and we are happy to have him."
The Titans provided a generic comment on the Pahulu saga.
"Our club policy is that we don't comment publicly on recruitment and retention, which applies to this case like all others," CEO Steve Mitchell said.
"All contracts are confidential between employee and employer and therefore, the club can't speak to specific details outlined in the playing contract."
Veteran Foran, who captained the Titans side last season, is more than happy to let Queensland prop Fa'asuamaleaui take over in 2025.
"Tino is our captain and our leader," he said.
"He missed the bulk of last season, going down with that unfortunate ACL injury, and was a huge loss for us.
"He will come straight back into that captaincy role. He is the leader of this club and he will be back and we'll get behind him. I will be there to support him throughout the season."
Pahulu's management has been contacted for comment.
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