Last word: Nothing has changed with Dymock taking the reins

Contracting COVID-19 on Monday, it's been a hot topic of conversation how training  has been with assistant Jim Dymock taking the reins this week, although the former Canterbury and Parramatta legend said it's business as usual with the head coach still having plenty of input from afar.

"There’s been plenty of communication with Justin so nothing has really changed," Dymock said.

"He’s been puppeteering while he’s been at home and we’ve just been getting the job done for him.

"It’s still like he’s here. He’s communicating every morning."

"We get the session plan done the day before and after the session is done, we just put the video up for him and he goes through the video and cuts it himself.

"Nothing really changes but his presence isn't here, that’s all."

Building on the emerging Titans' 26-26 draw with the Broncos last weekend, Dymock felt the hit out was a great opportunity for the squad's young players to put their pre-season into practice and gives the team plenty to work with for this weekend's matchup against the Warriors. 

"I thought we had a good hit-out against Brisbane. I thought the boys did well," Dymock said.

"We had those young blokes come in at the end of the game and it was good to blood them after they did the pre-season.

"It’s good to see how they took the stuff they learnt at training to the field and that’s what we’re trying to focus on. Trying to implement the stuff we’ve really worked on into this week’s game."

Although the line-up for the Warriors bout is awfully similar to the predicted Round 1 team, the Titans assistant confirmed nothing is locked in yet with a few positions still in contention ahead of the season opener against Parramatta in a fortnight.

"I don’t know if it’s the team. I think there’s a few spots up for grabs. They’ll be a couple there," Dymock said.

"The bench obviously, and maybe a few in the starting line-up, but I think it’s time for them to impress and put their best foot forward."

"I think what we’re trying to focus on is trying to play set-for-set and get through the game and hopefully get through unscathed.

"It would be nice to win the game but I’d rather perform well and come through injury free."

Again, not too worried by the score given it's a trial, the coaching staff are particularly keen to see the work off the ball and how each player contributes to the team.

"It’s hard when you’re trialling out for spot in the side and you forget about the team and just focus on yourself," Dymock said.

"It’s not about that. It’s about working together in the system and that’s what we look at.

"What they’re doing off the ball and what they’re doing to help their mate out and that’s the big thing we’re focussing on."

The highly-anticipated clash will also see the debut of the club's new-look young spine; with Jayden Campbell, AJ Brimson, Toby Sexton and Erin Clark getting their first crack in a game scenario to finesse their combinations ahead of the season proper.

"We’ve got new spine this year... very inexperienced, but how do you give experience?" Dymock said.

"You’ve just got to play them. They’re young kids who are full of zest and hopefully they take that onto the field.

"Being young, especially Toby, he’s a good organiser and a good talker, but he’s going to have some big characters out there like Tino (Fa'asuamaleaui), Wal (Jarrod Wallace) and Dave (Fifita) who want the ball all the time.

"He’s just got to be strong enough to say no sometimes and just get the kick in and grind away for us."

It's been a big week in the Dymock household, with Jim not only having to focus on being the interim head coach for the week, but his daughter Tegan also set to make her NRLW debut for the Dragons against the Titans on Sunday.

It's an achievement the 309-gamer is immensely proud of, and will be rushing down to Newcastle after finishing his coaching duties to watch her take the field.

"Yeah, she’s making her debut on Sunday with St George against the Titans. Obviously I’ll be going for the Titans, but I hope she gets a player of the match performance," Dymock said.

"It’s very special. I’ve got four daughters and I didn’t think I’d ever be going out and watching my kids play rugby league so yeah, I’m so proud.

"I’m going straight after the game from Brisbane and will fly down and get to watch her.

"It’s going to be a proud day for us."

The Gold Coast Titans take on New Zealand Warriors at 2pm Saturday, February 26 at Moreton Daily Stadium. 

Watch live on Fox League and Kayo.