'Last year... that's on me': Devastating Dave back to his best for Warriors bout

A very candid David Fifita has opened up about being pushed to the bench at the end of last season, feeling he could've performed better, as the powerhouse forward works towards getting back to his devastating best this season.

It's an incredible revelation from the 22-year-old; given he was the club's leading try-scorer with 17 four-pointers - smashing the previous club record - as well as the NRL's leading tackle buster and in the top seven players with offloads and line-breaks for 2021.

Those accolades alone are an incredible achievement... but his admission proves he always strives to continually be better, an admirable trait to have, and his commitment to finessing his footy has been noticed by general pundits around the NRL competition.

Titans fans saw just a small glimpse of the havoc the Origin star can wreak in the All Stars clash last month, before doing much the same in a formidable 80-minute performance on the edge in the season opener against Parramatta on Sunday.

And as he prepares to return to Cbus Super Stadium for the first time... a venue he loves to score points at with two hat-tricks and a double, the barnstorming back-rower wants to keep being that full-game player this entire season.

"I want to be a full 80-minute player. Last year, I started that but in the back end, [what happened]… that’s on me," Fifita revealed.

"My discipline for myself fell away off the field, but I’m in the right direction at the moment and will take it week-by-week.

"The coaching staff have trained me hard throughout the whole pre-season and all the boys here have come in good knick, so for myself, it’s just about getting the match fitness back.

"It was good to be out there against Parra. We didn’t get the result we were after, but this Saturday against the Warriors, it’ll be a different game with tough opposition… we’re looking forward to it."

The enforcer ran for 122 metres and broke four tackles - including the incredible 60-metre line-break that resulted in a try in the following play. He also was quite handy in defence, making 24 tackles in his first start of 2022.

The Titans marquee puts his off-season shredding down to Gold Coast high performance staff, who have helped him ensure he continues to be a lean, mean, powerhouse machine.

"The high performance staff… Klint (Hoare) and Hoops (Steve Hooper). They do a good job with getting our fitness right," Fifita said.

"We’ve also got a new dietician (Ben Desbrow) on board who is really smart with what he talks about and what he says in front of the group.

"It’s evident with all the boys… we’re all in good knick and I’m looking forward to the season ahead."

The 67-gamer was a big fan of the direction the Titans are heading, with new halfback Toby Sexton impressing on the weekend, and is also relishing the return of his partner-in-crime, AJ Brimson.

"Toby Sexton is a good young player who is really good at organising the boys around the park. For myself, he just keeps it simple and if I want the ball, he gives it to me," Fifita said.

"Obviously I didn’t get much ball on the weekend, but for myself, I need to keep building the combination with him. He’s only a year younger than me and we’re still learning and still getting to know each other with our edge.

"His halves partner AJ is a great player and brings a lot to this team. But in saying that, Will Smith stepped up and did a really good job and played outstanding on the weekend.

"If we do have Brimmo back on the weekend, it will be a bonus... but Will is just as good there."

With plenty of fireworks the last time the Titans faced off against the Warriors, especially with Matt Lodge - who is expected to return to Cbus this weekend - Fifita is looking forward to the battle, hoping to get the side's first two points of the year in front of a big home crowd.