Lachlan Ilias feels he has found his role and is starting to look at home in the halves, alongside Jayden Campbell.
With that, the Gold Coast Titans are beginning to build the kind of cohesion that can turn tight contests their way.
After a disrupted start to the season that saw him shift roles, Ilias has embraced his position at five-eighth, growing in confidence week by week while helping unlock the attacking strengths around him, particularly alongside centre, AJ Brimson.
“I just wanted to play footy, to be honest,” Ilias said of his role in the team.
“I’ve ended up in the six jersey and I’m not complaining at all.
"I love playing there, I love playing with JC (Campbell) and with this club.
"Wherever I can help the boys, that’s all I want to do.”
That selfless approach is translating into a clearer structure on the field, with Ilias taking on the responsibility of organising while allowing Campbell to play to his strengths.
“I know those guys like to run the footy, so where I can organise and play my part, I’ll do that for the team,” he said.
“JC still calls the plays, he’s the seven, and I just relay the calls.
"Once I know what set we want to run, I can organise my side and sort of tell the boys what to do, but it’s based off his call.”
It’s a balance that’s quickly building trust between the pair, with Ilias’ communication aiming to free Campbell to focus on his natural, instinctive game.
That connection is being further strengthened by the presence of Brimson, who has made a seamless transition into the centres while maintaining a strong influence on the game.
“I think AJ’s been playing great the last couple of weeks, he has almost been our best both weeks,” Ilias said.
“He’s a livewire, he floats around the field.
"He’s talking to me in defence, talking to me in attack… I’ve really enjoyed playing with him.”
Despite the frustrations of missed opportunities, including a disallowed try to Brimson, Ilias said the belief within the group remains strong.
“I thought we were where we wanted to be,” Ilias said of his side's halftime mindset against the Broncos.
“We were pretty confident… it was a bit of a grind and it would’ve been nice to finish that with a try (Brimson's), but it is what it is.”
With a long turnaround and a refreshed squad, Ilias said the group is physically and mentally ready for the challenge ahead.
“The body feels good, all the boys feel good and we’re ready for this week.”
And as his voice grows louder within the team, so too does the sense that Ilias is beginning to shape exactly the kind of role he came to the Titans to find.
