While the Gold Coast Titans playing group will be enjoying their much-deserved last weekend off before the season begins, it’s a completely different story for Justin Holbrook and his coaching staff.
They have a selection headache that needs to be rectified by 3pm on Tuesday.
It’s a very healthy problem to have… the fact the club has quite the depth and some quality players will miss out is a testament to the hard-work and determination all 31 players have put in over the off-season. Particularly in the fight for seats on the bench, where around nine players in contention will have to be cutdown to just four.
Match: Eels v Titans
Round 1 -
home Team
Eels
7th Position
away Team
Titans
10th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
“It’s mainly the bench spots [we need to pick],” Holbrook said.
“I’ve been happy with that many of our middles that it’s just so hard to split who is going to grab a bench spot.
“We have a number of guys which is a great position to be in. We need that and we’ve got it with our great depth.
"It’s going to be hard because we’ve got around nine guys trying to get four spots on the bench and that’s the hard part.
“Everyone wants to play Round 1 and that’s the reason you spend all pre-season, but we’re going to need it through the year.”
Confirming skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, veteran forward Isaac Liu and Origin representative Moeaki Fotuaika are certainties to start against Parramatta, the other middles have really impressed over the summer months, making the decision even tougher for the head coach.
“The hard part is, they’ve all done so well. From Herman to Sam Lisone, Jimmy Jolliffe, Jarrod Wallace – all our middles… and then you throw in Tino, Isaac Liu and Moe - they’re the three certainties and the rest are fighting for a few spots,” Holbrook said.
“So, it’s hard when you don’t get many opportunities and some of them didn’t even get to play the trial (against the Broncos). But as the season progresses, [the depth] is where we’ll get benefit from.
“That second trial would’ve helped a few guys out, but we didn’t have that luxury, so we’ll probably sit down and pick it and know as of Monday who’ll have a run.”
Another difficulty for Holbrook will be who plays in the utility role with two very capable candidates in Tanah Boyd and Will Smith ready to fill that important position.
Arguably, with the Titans having been drawn the toughest season opener of the eight games, Holbrook knows picking the right 17 to run out against Parramatta is crucial.
“They’re the decisions we’ve really got to concentrate on and get right because we’re playing the form team of the comp if you’re going on trial form,” Holbrook said.
“In Round 1, they always start well. They’re well-organised, well-prepared and it’s down there.
“If I look at the eight games, we’ve probably got the toughest start of them all, so we’ve got to make sure we get it right for Sunday week.”
One thing is definitely a certainty… all eyes will be on the team list when it is released on Tuesday afternoon to see which way the Titans coach goes.
Name your Titans line-up for your chance to win a signed 2022 Titans jersey!
Click here to play the all-new Titans team picker.
The likely starting 13:
Holbrook locked in his spine and did so weeks ago at the club’s training camp at Sanctuary Cove Resort, which has allowed the four pivotal players to gel and build combinations prior to kick-off.
Jayden Campbell will line up at fullback, there’ll be an all-new halves pairing with AJ Brimson and Toby Sexton joining forces and Erin Clark has won the race for the No. 9 jersey, edging out other contenders Tanah Boyd and Aaron Booth.
New captain Tino Fa’ausamaleaui is guaranteed a starting jersey, likely continuing to dominate in the middle third of the field. He’ll be standing next to Mo Fotuaika and Isaac Liu who have been anointed the Round 1 props.
Powerhouse forward David Fifita is also a lock and will likely start on the edge after his first pre-season without injury, allowing him to get his body right for the season opener. Using the final trial team list as a guide, he’s expected to run out alongside Beau Fermor who will get his chance to own the No. 11 jersey, just edging out experienced campaigner Kevin Proctor, who the 23-year-old has constantly turned to for advice.
It’s likely the outside backs will remain the same as last year’s elimination final, except ‘flying’ Phil Sami is expected to re-join the line-up if the head coach goes the same way as what was named for the Warriors trial. It's been a huge off-season for the 2020 Origin back, who will likely come in for Greg Marzhew – a very tough selection for the coaching staff who are fond of his tough, relentless carries in yardage.
Those in the mix for the bench:
Jaimin Jolliffe
Started against the Broncos and was arguably the player of the match in the first half. Was a consistent performer in the middle off the bench last season and will likely be one of the favourites to jag a spot on the interchange.
Jarrod Wallace
The former Origin prop is always reliable in the middle and can easily find the try line when he needs to. The 177-gamer joined Jolliffe in the starting pack for the Broncos trial and is likely to be a good chance of playing off the pine in Round 1.
Sam Lisone
Lisone played 16 games for the Titans last season in the middle third and has the footwork and skill to ball-play as well as barnstorm from the back fence - as witnessed against Parramatta last season. A proven performer, the proud Kiwi also put in a good showing against the Broncos recently as the starting lock.
Herman Ese'ese
Disappointed in his 2021 season by his own admission, Ese'ese has dropped an incredible nine kilograms and worked extremely hard in the off-season to be at peak fitness for the new year ahead. This has impressed Holbrook and the coaching staff and the 27-year-old played a pivotal role off the bench against the Broncos in the recent trial, taking tough carries in big moments of the game and helping lead the rookies from the front.
Kevin Proctor
As a senior leader at the club, Proctor is one of the most accomplished forwards vying for a spot in the 17 for Round 1. It could be said his ability to play in both the middle and on the edge gives him a competitive leg-up against some of the other candidates, as well as his big-game experience across 275 appearances.
Sam McIntyre
Every team needs a player like Sam McIntyre. He may not be the most flashiest of forwards, but he is reliable, a workhorse - especially in defence, and is happy to fill any position or role needed. A perfect team man that would be a handy inclusion on the Titans' bench. With 22 games under his belt, the Coffs Harbour junior has plenty to offer should he get the call-up.
Will Smith
Arguably, the utility void will be the toughest selection for Holbrook as both Smith and Tanah Boyd offer the ability to play many roles with the No. 14 on their back. The former Parramatta Eel could potentially get the jump on the youngster thanks to his experience and knowhow to play at fullback, the halves and hooker. Smith comes to the Titans with 75 games under his belt and has been lauded by fans as a great signing to help fill the utility role.
Tanah Boyd
The former halfback now hooker has gone through a transformation in the off-season to adapt to his new role and has excelled at the switch. He dominated with the No. 9 on his back against the Broncos in the recent trial and also has the ability to play in the halves should he need to. He is also a bigger body in defence if that is what Holbrook is looking for to help strengthen the middle third.
