Sexton's spark shines light on bright future

It was hard to believe Sunday's season opener was only Toby Sexton's fifth NRL appearance.

To anyone none the wiser, they would've thought it was a seasoned playmaker calling the shots for the Titans up against the Eels.

The 21-year-old had a try assist and a line-break assist, comfortably played both sides of the field and kicked four goals from five attempts to aid the Gold Coast's bid to overcome a red-hot Parramatta side, who started the year as one of the premiership favourites.

Although narrowly missing out on the two points by a flurry of penalty goals late in the contest, the young No. 7 enjoyed his first outing as the side's full-time halfback.

"It was good... I'm obviously pretty disappointed. I thought we were the better side for a majority of the game, but a lack of discipline and some bad errors towards the backend kind of cost us," Sexton said.

"But I had heaps of fun. The first half, we obviously played with heaps of momentum and in the second half, I’ve probably just got to get a bit more involved and control the game a bit better towards the back end of it."

Such is the maturity of the talented youngster that he already knows what he needs to improve on as he prepares to face the Warriors this Saturday in the Titans' first game of the year at Cbus Super Stadium.

He is also relishing the return of fellow halves partner AJ Brimson, who was put on ice in the 11th hour, trying to overcome a niggling groin injury, to ensure he'd be fit and firing for the first test at home.

"I can’t wait. We trained the whole pre-season together and we have a pretty good relationship," Sexton said.

"I was so keen to play with him, but at the same time, I thought Will (Smith) was outstanding too.

"Hopefully AJ will be back next week and I’m really looking forward to playing with him."

With the clash also being part of the maiden Gold Coast NRL / NRLW double header and $20 from every ticket going to the Titans' flood relief initiative, the entire team can't wait to see the Legion out in force and the fortress full of blue and gold for the first time in 2022.