With new coach Des Hasler at the helm with his tough love approach in full swing, the Titans will be looking to develop a harder defensive edge this season.
With plenty of strike in their backline and an enviable forward pack featuring Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, David Fifita and Moeaki Fotuaika, the Gold Coast have all the makings of a successful team, but just haven’t been able to show the resilience required to hold onto leads, defend well and win more games.
This season, the club have recruited sparingly but astutely, with new arrivals Keenan Palasia and Harley Smith-Shields bringing with them key experience and adding depth to the squad.
With the return from injury of the likes of forward Beau Fermor adding to the selection mix, Hasler will also have to figure out the best way to get two of his stars in AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell on the field at the same time.
While it appears that Campbell is set to have the first opportunity to nail down the coveted fullback position, both bring their own unique skills to the role, while young gun Keano Kini is another player pressing his significant claims for consideration.
A versatile team with a number of players who can fill multiple roles, both Brimson and Campbell can serve as playmakers, but with a young crop of halfbacks on the books including Tanah Boyd and Thomas Weaver, the Titans are generally well serviced in the halves.
The club also addressed their hooking depth issue last season with the arrival of both Sam Verrills and Chris Randall, with Randall also filling in as a middle forward during stages of last season.
NRL Fantasy club by club: Titans
Predicted Round 1 team
- Jayden Campbell
- Alofiana Khan-Pereira
- AJ Brimson
- Brian Kelly
- Phil Sami
- Kieran Foran
- Tanah Boyd
- Moeaki Fotuaika
- Sam Verrills
- Keenan Palasia
- David Fifita
- Beau Fermor
- Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
- Chris Randall
- Jaimin Jolliffe
- Isaac Liu
- Joe Stimson
Full Titans squad and signings here.
Key Changes
- Ins: Keenan Palasia (Broncos), Harley Smith-Shields (Raiders).
- Outs: Kruise Leeming (Wigan Warriors), Treymain Spry (released), Joe Vuna (unsigned).
Health Watch
- David Fifita (pectoral, Round 1)
- Jojo Fifita (ankle, Round 1)
- Erin Clark (shoulder, Round 1)
‘It’s good to be home’: Palasia’s first interview as a Titan
Positional battle to watch
Across the park, the Titans have genuine competition in a number of positions, with a stacked forward pack and array of outside backs all jostling for a place in the 17.
With Jayden Campbell to be given the first opportunity to play fullback with his main rival for the spot AJ Brimson to be deployed at centre, coach Des Hasler’s next big question will be how to most effectively utilise his forwards and who will be the best options to start.
David Fifita has made a successful return to the training field, with his partial pectoral tear initially having him in some doubt to start Round 1 against the Dragons. A fit Fifita now joins a returning Beau Fermor as the likely candidates for the starting second-row positions with skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Issac Liu also in the mix.
Titans 2023 player of the year Moe Fotuaika has one prop spot sewn up, leaving Hasler to figure out how to use in-form recruit Keenan Palasia and the reliable duo of Erin Clark and Jaimin Jolliffe.
