NRL 2024: Titans, Round 1 team: Hasler era begins with milestones, debuts and returns

Author: Titans.com.au
Timestamp: Tue 5 Mar 2024, 04:00 PM

The Des Hasler era on the Gold Coast will officially begin when the Titans face the Dragons at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday night.

Alongside the masterful mentor's debut as head coach, the Titans won't be short of motivation with three stars celebrating special milestones, as well as Keenan Palasia's club debut as he lines up at lock for his maiden appearance for his home town.

Making four changes to the 17 that faced the Eels a fortnight ago in the major trial, impending Titans centurion Brian Kelly returns to the centres alongside fellow 100-gamer AJ Brimson who will play his first game for points in 2024 as an outside back.

Experienced forward Isaac Liu also comes back via the bench to notch up an admirable 250 NRL appearances - his 47th as a Titan.

Klese Haas has beaten Jacob Alick for the vacant back-rower spot left by David Fifita's injury; meanwhile, Kieran Foran has declared himself "fully fit and raring to go" with the seasoned playmaker to partner Tanah Boyd in the halves after sitting out the pre-season challenge.

Joe Stimson is the 18th man with a number of rising stars being named on the extended bench; including young enforcer Josiah Pahulu.

The Titans' first Round 1 home game since 2019, the Gold Coast have won four of the last six matchups against the Dragons, including their last two matchups at Robina.

Kick-off is at 6.35pm AEST on Saturday, March 9 at Cbus Super Stadium.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Saturday 9 Mar

Full Time

Titans

Dragons

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Titans is number 1 Keano Kini

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
Winger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-Pereira

Winger for Dragons is number 2 Zac Lomax
Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly

Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
Centre for Titans is number 4 AJ Brimson

Centre for Dragons is number 4 Jack Bird
Winger for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami

Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 21 Tom Weaver

Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle Flanagan
Halfback for Titans is number 7 Tanah Boyd

Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Forwards

Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Chris Randall

Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob Liddle
Prop for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Prop for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Klese Haas

2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'a
2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor

2nd Row for Dragons is number 17 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Lock for Titans is number 15 Isaac Liu

Lock for Dragons is number 11 Tom Eisenhuth

Interchange

Interchange for Titans is number 13 Keenan Palasia

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Connor Muhleisen
Interchange for Titans is number 14 Sam Verrills

Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Michael Molo
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Erin Clark

Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Viliami Fifita
Interchange for Titans is number 17 Jaimin Jolliffe

Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Ben Murdoch-Masila