Trial takeaways: How young guns impressed

Titans.com.au took a look at each player in the first trial.

1. Jaylan De Groot 

One of the Titans' best on the night. While he is unlikely to play many NRL games at fullback unless there is an injury to Keano Kini, De Groot showed he has grown on the back of NRL experience in 2025 and will be a strong deputy. Safe under the high ball and part of a great try saving tackle with Zane Harrison in the first half. Moved to left centre in the second half, showing his versatility. Only downside was a stint in the sin bin for a professional foul.

2. Siale Faeamani 

Took a while to get his first touch but looked tough to tackle every time from that point on. Still building combinations but one to watch in next week's trial against the Storm. Finished with 110 run metres, 43 of those post-contact. 

3. Sunny Kama

The Future Titans alumni his own in the first 40 minutes. Will have learnt a lot from a full pre-season with the NRL side and will continue his development across the year. One to watch in the NRLQ later this year. 

4. Max Feagai

Up against his old side, he came in for early carries from backfield. Created a try out of nothing with a deft kick, seeing Lachlan Ilias to open the scoring for the Titans. Ended his stint with 106 run metres and a try assist.

5. Jensen Taumoepeau

The new recruit was safe under the high ball and combined nicely with Feagai, Adam Christensen and Lachlan Ilias in defence on the left edge early. 

6. Lachlan Ilias 

Combined well with Zane Harrison and had a solid opening as he built combinations. Scored the first try on the back of a clever kick out of nothing from Feagai. Played a steady hand with Harrison and a nice grubber for a repeat set.

7. Zane Harrison

Directed his team around well as he and Ilias looked to build a combination in the halves. Solid kicking game was well used in the wet. The Future Titans star lay on the early work inside for the Ieremia try in the second half. Will keep building this year as he continues to develop, but didn't look out of place. 

8. Moeaki Fotuaika

Captain on the night after coach Hannay called upon him to go against the stacked Dolphins forward pack, and led the way from the front. Scored a rare try - even if it is only trials, they count for front rowers. Motivated to get back to his best, notched up solid numbers in a short hit-out for the veteran prop. Made 94 metres in nine runs, as well as a line break, an offload and seven tackles in 24 minutes on-field.

9. Luke Sommerton

Worked hard through the middle as he got his forwards on the front foot early against a much more experienced Dolphins pack. Played big minutes with a small break. Strong defensively with 28 tackles. 

10. Klese Haas

In his new role in the front row, carried the ball strongly. A nice offload provided an opportunity for a shift for Lachlan Ilias. Came back on for a second half stint and showed plenty through the middle. Ended the night 106 run metres, three offloads and 22 tackles. 

11. Arama Hau

Powerful with ball in hand through limited opportunities. Nearly crashed over as he left tacklers in his wake early. Strong night with 60 run metres and 18 tackles.

12. Adam Christensen

Showed great defensive resolve as he locked up the left edge with Ilias, Feagai and Taumoepeau. Strong with his carries and worked hard, all that Hannay would have asked of him. Will be in the mix for a back-row spot across the year. Ended the night with 47 run metres and 24 tackles. 

13. Cooper Bai 

Plenty of work early playing ball-player tip on role and his own hit-ups. Came back for a second stint but spent most of that time defending. Good minutes for the young lock with his iconic green headgear. 85 run metres and 21 tackles across the performance.

14. Sam Verrills 

Coming on to start the second half, Verrills clocked 20 minutes as his side largely defended a Dolphins onslaught. He'll likely move to a starting role next week as the squad travel to Sunshine Coast Stadium to take on Melbourne Storm.

15. Kurtis Morrin

The first time Titan entered the play at the 24-minute mark; bringing good linespeed and energy on both sides of the ball. The hard-working middle forward worked tirelessly all night just as expected, capping the night off with 119 run metres, 22 tackles and a try.

17. Tuki Simpkins

Replacing Klese Haas late in the first half, the emerging forward worked hard all night, having to defend for most of his first stint. Simpkins topped the tackle count with 29 and 148 run metres.

18. Kyle Pickering

Came on in the second half in the back-row after working hard in the pre-season for his NRL opportunity. Set to feature for the Tweed Seagulls for the Hostplus Cup season. 

19. Max Bradbury

Came on to replace Cooper Bai in the 27th minute and the journeyman had some good carries, with the added responsibility after Jett Liu was ruled out with concussion. Has been at the Titans on a train-and-trial deal with the Tweed Seagulls and will be one to watch in the state competition this year.  

20. Bodhi Sharpley

The Future Titans prospect didn't get big minutes but showed he is someone to watch for the future on the Coast. The Toowoomba junior will be part of the club's NRLQ side no doubt later in the year. 

21. Tony Francis

Moved to the centres over the off-season and replaced Sunny Kama to start the second half. Was part of some desperation defence, charging up field to help stop a line-break but was penalised and placed on report for a shoulder charge in the 44th minute.

22. Dean Ieremia

After a long time out of the NRL, Ieremia made a solid return, showing he still had plenty to offer. Picked up the third Titans try on the back of a nice work from Phoenix Steinwede. 

23. Phoenix Steinwede

The stepson of former Titans playmaker Kieran Foran provided some energy in defence when he came on. Played a nice role in setting up the Titans third try by Ieremia. Followed up with one of his own. Set to return to the Tweed Seagulls after a train and trial stint with the NRL side. 

24. Brenton Baira 

Came on to fullback in the 55th minute after a strong pre-season with the NRL squad. Will now return to the Ipswich Jets for the Hostplus Cup.

25. Jhett Sydir

A fresh face on the Gold Coast, he will be one to watch in coming years. Limited minutes against the Dolphins but brought plenty of energy when on in the halves.

26. Allan Fitzgibbon

Came on for the final 20 minutes and looked to get involved through carries in the backfield. Limited touches from the 6-game Titan.