AJ Brimson's return to the Titans at the weekend helped light a spark on the left edge in the 20-18 win against the Warriors, with the repositioned playmaker's influence felt in only the third tackle of the game.
Fans would've been in a spot of bother if they arrived to Cbus Super Stadium a few moments after kick-off, likely missing the first try which was the result of a slick Brimson break, down in Gold Coast territory, before linking up with rising enforcer Beau Fermor to score in the opening minute.
Coach Justin Holbrook hadn't even properly settled into the coach's box before the points-scoring party began.
"I thought he was terrific. He came up with some big plays... one right at the start of the game and the one in the second half that was a difference in the game," Holbrook said.
"I think he's going to be fantastic for our side at five-eighth and his combinations will get better and better with Toby (Sexton) and Jayden Campbell as the weeks go on.
"I'm really happy with AJ in particular, first up in those conditions."
Welcome back AJ
To general pundits of the game who were none the wiser that it was the Origin's first official game as the full-time No. 6, it looked as if he had played there his entire career, and the dainty combination with Fermor and outside backs Brian Kelly and Phillip Sami helped pile on two of the Titans' four tries of the afternoon.
The success of 23-year-old Fermor, who has begun the year as a starter on the edge, has pleased the Titans head coach who has relished his evolvement over the pre-season.
"He's developing into a great young player and I think the back end of last year, he got everybody's attention by showing how good a player he can be," Holbrook said.
"He's another guy that's working hard on his game and improving his skill level and he's got plenty of speed as he showed in that first try on the weekend.
"He's a very coachable young player that's got all the attributes you want in a person.
"We're getting some real good combinations, in particular now with AJ, but that left edge is really solid and we'll keep working with the right to put us in a good spot."
Whilst opposition teams might fear the left edge, on the right is the Titans' marquee man David Fifita, who fans know all too well what damage he can do on the footy field.
As his combination slowly begins to gel with new half Toby Sexton, which will allow the Maroons enforcer to get his hands on more footy, he'll be the key to the Titans' one, two punch on both sides of the field.
"We've got to get his combination with Toby going better. I think they ran into each other once out there, but that'll come," Holbrook said.
"The important thing is early in the year is if you can get the wins together and then the combinations will improve. That's what we want to work on, but the more involved we can get him, the better side we're going to be.
"We just want him to be hard running back-rower for us.
"We've got AJ who helped setup a couple of tries, Toby's a great organiser and Jayden... we've got enough strike that we don't want to rely on him, but the more involved we can get him, the better.
Not just a hulking metre-eating forward, Fifita is also quite the handy ball-player, as seen in his pinpoint tip-on to Greg Marzhew for the Titans' third try on Saturday afternoon.
"I'm pleased he threw [the pass]. He's worked hard and that's what we're working hard on with him... his skill level, and he so skilful for a big guy and everyone just wants him to run," Holbrook said.
"I thought he was a bit gun shy in Round 1 where he did just tuck it under the arm and the outside defenders came rushing in.
"That was a great pass to Greg Marzhew and the more he can do that, then the more the opposition can't come and gang up on him and he can have a bit more joy with his carries as well."
Fifita and Marzhew combine
Rolling up the sleeves and finishing off plays spectacularly on the right is the 24-year-old flyer, who has been given his opportunity through the injury to Corey Thompson.
Scoring two tries and running for 222 metres against the Warriors, the 10-game powerhouse really flexed his muscle in Round 2, which will give Holbrook quite the selection headache when both Thompson and new recruit Jamayne Isaako are ready to return.
"He'd have to be one of the strongest in the NRL, the way he carries the ball. That's what we want him to bring," Holbrook said.
"Everyone's got strengths and weaknesses and his strength is the absolute barnstorming carries. He's working really hard on his defence and I don't think he was to blame a lot for Round 1.
"There was a lot of recklessness from other guys but we settled it and got it right for the majority of Round 2, which was excellent and we've got to keep getting that better."
Be there at Cbus Super Stadium on March 31 as the Titans take on the Wests Tigers in a Thursday Thriller. Click here to secure your seat now!
