When the Titans roll into Lismore for the Club's pre-season trial in February, expect there to be plenty of Brian Kelly fans that find their way to Oakes Oval.
The Gold Coast will host the New Zealand Warriors in the Northern Rivers and for Kelly who is Lismore born and Ballina raised, this is a home game in more ways than one.
The 24-year old centre, who is the reigning Paul Broughton Medallist, is a proud representative of the Northern Rivers region.
"It (the Northern Rivers area) is a big part of the Gold Coast catchment," Kelly said.
"We've got a few of us Northern Rivers boys here (at the Titans), we've got some development players as well, there might be a good four or five of us from the area."
The trial game, to be held on Saturday 27th February, will also include a full day of football that will include games featuring the Northern Rivers under 16 and under 18 representative sides, as well as an exhibition match with the Titans PDRL team.
"It's good that the Club is doing it," Kelly said.
Heading into his third pre-season on the Gold Coast, Kelly has also secured his long-term future in the region having signed a contract extension that will keep him at the Titans until the end of the 2023 season.
He says while there was interest from other Clubs, his goal was always to remain on the Coast.
"There was two or three other clubs, they were Sydney clubs so I would have had to move," Kelly said.
"I came to an agreement here (with the Titans) and I'm super happy and looking forward to the future.
"Having my little boy and the missus up here as well, they're happy and that's a big part of the choice.
"The back end of the year, I found my form and I'm putting it into pre-season now and finding my combinations.
"Hopefully we can make the finals from now until 2023."
Tickets for the Titans pre-season game against the Warriors will go on sale in coming days and will be available via www.visitlismore.com.au.
"I went down to Ballina last week and there was a few local lads that I knew and hopefully they can follow in the same footsteps.
