Senior enforcer Isaac Liu believes the Titans' immense depth in the 2024 forward pack will go a long way to helping them conquer the top teams this season.
With new mentor Des Hasler putting no guarantees on any position as he prepares to resume his coaching career when the Titans face the Dragons on March 9, the engine room battle has been taken up a notch in the final fortnight of pre-season training at Parkwood.
Match: Titans v Dragons
Round 1 -
home Team
Titans
15th Position
away Team
Dragons
2nd Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Knowing what it takes to win a premiership - or three in Liu's case having played a role in the Roosters' 2013, 2018 and 2019 triumphs, the 249-game star has welcomed the jostle for positions, with the fallback of talent giving his Titans teammates the confidence to match it with some of the competition's top heavyweights.
"It definitely excites me having a lot of depth now," he said.
"We have missed some forwards [in past seasons], but this year, we’ve got depth, so we’ve got to fight for our spots as we want the best players on the field to do the job.
"It just gives us confidence to compete against other great forward packs out there.
"For us to have depth there and seeing young forwards coming through, it’s something I look forward to."
Welcoming the addition of Keenan Palasia to the motor house that already includes Maroons trio Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, David Fifita and Moeaki Fotuaika; Liu has relished the former Bronco's recruitment to further bolster the pack's depth, particularly with his impressive early stint at Titans HQ.
'I hope to contribute to a winning culture': Palasia
"He’s jumped straight in and training really well," he said.
"To have him here with his experience, I'm really looking forward to getting some game time with him and also see what he can do for us."
Another player re-joining the fold up front in 2024 is Beau Fermor after being sidelined with an ACL injury last season - the 25-year-old eager to be back relishing the immense talent that will be alongside him.
"We’re really fortunate to have lots of depth in the forwards and I think even with our bench options like Jimmy (Jolliffe) and Keenan coming in as well, I don’t think we lose anything when our starters go off," Fermor told SENQ Breakfast.
"I’m really looking forward to playing alongside those boys."
With trial one against the Dolphins expecting to see a number of the Gold Coast's up and coming players get their opportunity in first grade, all eyes will be on Hasler's week two team against the Eels to determine who wins in the Titans' great depth debate.
Who do you think Des Hasler should select this season? Submit your Round 1 side today with the Titans Team Picker and go in the draw to win one of three signed Titans jerseys.
