Best described as the engine room of any team, the competition for spots in the Titans forward pack is as fierce as ever as the start of the season nears.
Boasting plenty of experienced heads with plenty of muscle, Justin Holbrook will have a variety of talent to pick from to stock the front row, led admirably by skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui who will likely line-up at prop in 2023.
Titans.com.au has identified the key players who could star in the front row this season in the latest edition of the depth discussion series.
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Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Age: 22 | Appearances: 71
The Titans skipper can best be described as the heart and soul of his outfit and the 22-year-old will be ready to lead the forward pack again in 2023 - the only question that remains is in what position.
The Queensland and Australian enforcer started last season at lock before switching to the front row in Round 18, and his representative career has also seen him play very similar roles, tasked as a bash-and-crash big man.
The back-to-back Paul Broughton Medallist averaged 160 run metres - 68 of those post-contact - with ball in hand, and was instrumental in defence, making 30 tackles a game at 93 percent efficiency.
Will he run out for Round 1 with the number 10 or 13 on his back?
Moeaki Fotuaika
Age: 23 | Appearances: 100
Reaching a century of NRL appearances in last year's season finale in New Zealand, Fotuaika has been a staple of the Titans forward pack for the last four seasons.
The 23-year-old averaged 123 running metres, as well as making 27 tackles a game at an impressive 96 percent efficiency in 2022.
Returning from the World Cup with Tonga as one the Mate Ma'a's best, the powerful forward will more than likely be part of Holbrook's top 17 as a capable starter or handy boost from the bench come Round 1 from the Tigers.
Jaimin Jolliffe
Age: 26 | Appearances: 60
Jaimin Jolliffe is a no-nonsense front rower who gets the job done week-in, week-out; rolling the sleeves up each week in the Titans forward pack.
Across 19 matches in 2022, the 26-year-old was one of the most reliable in defence, making 25 tackles on average at a tidy 94 tackle efficiency. He also scored two classic tries last season, including a classic front rowers' four-pointer in the sixth minute against Manly.
Picking up valuable experience from his time representing Ireland at the World Cup, Jolliffe will look to take his game to a whole new level in 2023 and help steer the Titans to finals success.
Isaac Liu
Age: 32 | Appearances: 226
A consummate professional, Liu is the perfect player to have in the Titans top 17 given his experience and ability to play a number of positions across the park - including at prop, second row and lock.
In his first season on the Coast, the 31-year-old was a brick wall in defence, among the top three in the club for tackle efficiency at an incredible 95 percent, averaging 26 tackles per game.
Coming back after a strong World Cup performance with the Kiwis, Liu will be ready to build on his first season in Coast colours in whatever position Holbrook anoints him to play.
Sam McIntyre
Age: 24 | Appearances: 35
Skilfully finishing 2022 filling the void at No. 9 due to an injury crisis, McIntyre spent the entire off-season with his head down on the extras paddock in order to become a regular first grader with the Titans.
Playing 13 games for the Coast last season, McIntyre showed his versatility with the ability to play on the edge or in the middle at either prop or hooker, which makes him a valuable player to have in the top 17.
Expect a big two trials from the 24-year-old to show coach Holbrook his worthiness to be included on the Round 1 trip to his old stomping ground.
Joe Stimson
Age: 27 | Appearances: 85
Joining the Titans from the Bulldogs, Stimson comes to the Coast with plenty of experience in the forward pack with the ability to play in both the front and back row.
Playing 21 games last season, the 27-year-old played a perfect role off the bench for his old club, relieving the starting pack with an average of 21 tackles at 93 percent efficiency, as well as finding the white stripe on two occasions.
The Temora junior will be keen to play a similar role with the Titans in 2023 and is set to bring up 100 games midway through the season should he become a regular in the Gold Coast outfit.
Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui*
Age: 21 | Appearances: 0
The younger brother of Tino, Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui will remain at the Titans as a development player in 2023, before moving into the club’s top 30 contracted list for 2024 and 2025.
Yet to make his NRL debut, the 21-year-old played 14 games for Burleigh in the Hostplus Cup and was a defensive machine in his time on the field, averaging 19 tackles a game at 95 percent efficiency.
The Gympie Devils junior is eyeing off a crack in the top grade and says it will be a dream come true if he can run out alongside his brother in 2023.
Josiah Pahulu*
Age: 18 | Appearances: 0
It was a big year for the reigning National Schoolboy Cup-winning captain; leading Ipswich State High School to their history-making victory as well as starring for the Australian Schoolboys at the end of 2022.
The impressive 18-year-old is now part of the Titans' development list after a strong train-and-trial saw the youngster upgraded.
The former Future Titans front rower idolises NRL skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and will hope to make his debut with his club captain after Round 10 when he's eligible to play.
*Development player - eligible to play after Round 10
