Test prop Ben Hannant may be high on their hit list but Gold Coast were more than happy to blow some of their budget to re-sign hard-working backrower Mark Minichiello for another two NRL seasons.

Currently embroiled in an NRL salary cap investigation, the Titans are also holding talks with Bulldogs forward Hannant, who is angling to get a release to return home next season to be closer to his extended family.

Minichiello's re-signing will no doubt impact on the Titan's ability to work out any satisfactory deal with Hannant and the Bulldogs, who would be seeking considerable financial compensation should they find a way to release him on compassionate grounds

The elder brother of Roosters' Golden Boot winner Anthony Minichiello has shown the Titans his loyalty after they chased him as one of their inaugural signings from South Sydney in 2007.

Minichiello has played 65 games for the Gold Coast, stepping out his brother's shadow to establish himself as a strong-running, ball-playing back-rower.

The 28-year-old qualified electrician recently married his partner Milena and the couple are expecting their first child in mid-August.

Cartwright said Minichiello had firmly entrenched himself as a respected individual at the club as the Titans' fourth-highest capped player.

"On the open market Mini would have attracted plenty of interest, so to see that he wants to set his future up here for another couple of years is a great sign for us and great news for the team as well," said Cartwright.

Minichiello said as well wanting to stay loyal, he was enjoying his football and was settled on the Gold Coast.

"We're happy to raise our little bub up here for the next two years and we're enjoying our time up here at the moment," he said.

"I'm a very loyal person. I'm enjoying my football here so I didn't want to test the market at this stage in my career.

"I probably could have done that but I'm happy and the club's happy."

Minichiello concedes he may yet end up back in Sydney some time in the future.

"Both me and my wife have our families all in Sydney, so Sydney's a big drawcard for us," he said.

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