"Who has impressed you this pre-season?"
It's the question that's been asked of nearly every Titans player as they have performed their media duties in pre-season 2024.
The answer... Josiah Pahulu.
While the question might lack originality, the Titans NRL squad can't be accused of the same with their responses, with the young Titans prop impressing each and every one of his teammates in a brutal pre-season.
Having earned plenty of praise from seasoned Gold Coasters like Erin Clark and Moeaki Fotuaika before the Christmas break, the 19-year-old was also quick to impress new recruit Keenan Palasia, who is tipping the young forward to be one to watch in 2024.
"He’s been absolutely killing it. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets a few games under his belt this year," Palasia said in early January.
Pahulu is the former Ipswich State High captain that led his school to their first ever state and national titles in 2022 and after joining the Titans NRL squad as a development player in 2023, has been elevated to the top squad for the upcoming NRL Telstra Premiership campaign.
The front rower will have an eye on a dream debut this season under new head coach Des Hasler, but it nearly came early when he was named as the dedicated replacement for the Titans' final match of 2023.
The 18th man kits up, warms up and does everything but run on the field (unless called upon for injury), so Pahulu could hear, see, feel and taste his NRL debut - an incredible motivator to have going into an off-season.
So whether it's the fire to get his debut NRL game, a new coach in Des Hasler or his fellow bookends in captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Queensland Maroon Moeaki Fotuaika driving him, the fledgling forward is putting everything into his pre-season.
The Titans first trial will come against the Dolphins at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Sunday February, before a homecoming for Pahulu when the Coast take on the Parramatta Eels in the second trial at North Ipswich Reserve.
