NRL 2022: Gold Coast Titans season preview, roster analysis, predicted finish, Round 1 best 17
He hit a top speed of 36.5km/hr last year to become the fastest player in the Titans squad. Look out Corey Thompson and Phillip Sami, here comes 19-year-old Alofiana Khan-Pereira.
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They are one of the most exciting teams in the NRL and 2022 is shaping as their big break out party.
Not that 2021 was without its temptations. They reached the finals for the first time in five seasons and were just a dropped pass away from eliminating the Roosters.
Although young, the impressive core of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, David Fifita, AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell will ensure points will flow for many years to come. Having a steady support cast will go a long way to taking the Titans to the next level.
Chris Honnery takes a deep dive into what to expect from Justin Holbrook’s men in 2022.
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FINISH THE LAST FIVE YEARS
2021: 8th
2020: 9th
2019: 16th
2018: 14th
2017: 15th
2020 ODDS
TAB Premiership: $17
Top Four: $4.50
Top Eight: $1.90
Most losses: $21
2022 SQUAD
Aaron Booth, Tanah Boyd, AJ Brimson, Jayden Campbell, Erin Clark, Herman Ese’ese, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Beau Fermor, David Fifita, Sosefo Fifita, Moeaki Fotuaika, Patrick Herbert, Jaimin Joliffe, Brian Kelly, Sam Lisone, Isaac Liu, Esan Marsters, Gregory Marzhew, Sam McIntyre, Kevin Proctor, Phillip Sami, Toby Sexton, Will Smith, Corey Thompson, Paul Turner, Jarrod Wallace
INS
Aaron Booth (Storm), Isaac Liu (Roosters), Will Smith (Eels), Paul Turner (Warriors)
OUTS
Jamal Fogarty (Raiders), Tyrone Peachey (Tigers), Jonus Pearson (released), Mitch Rein (released), Sam Stone (Centurions), Ash Taylor (Warriors), Jai Whitbread (Centurions)
PLAYERS IN 2021 RICH 100:Three
3 – Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ($512,000), Jarrod Wallace ($611,000), David Fifita ($1.05 million)
SQUAD STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES
STRENGTHS: The squad is stacked with talent. Names like Fifita, Fa’asuamaleaui, Brimson and Campbell.
WEAKNESSES: However, the inexperience across the whole squad could prove a challenge in 2022. The club has lost star halfback Jamal Fogarty who steered the side around from the middle. Now, youngster Toby Sexton will be required to take the reins after playing just four NRL games in 2021.
COACH STATUS AND SAFETY RATING Rating 8
Justin Holbrook’s position is one of the safest in the competition following his incredible transformation of the Gold Coast club. Holbrook is contracted with the Titans until the 2024 season. In his first two years in charge, he has dragged the Titans from their wooden spoon finish in 2019 to a ninth and an eighth-place finish with him as head coach. The players have bought in to his coaching style and it looks set to reap them the rewards in the coming years.
GAME PLAN/WHAT THEY NEED TO TWEAK
The Titans game plan has been an exciting brand of football and it has worked in the past. Since the introduction of Justin Holbrook as head coach, the Titans have increased their average points per game and improved their defence to drop their average points conceded. Despite this, there were some glaring problems in defence, especially in the immediate periods before and after halftime.
FREE AGENCY WRAP & RATING - Rating: 7
They’ve nabbed premiership winner Isaac Liu from the Roosters and Aaron Booth from the powerhouse Melbourne Storm, which could prove to be two huge signings in the long run. The versatile Will Smith also joins the Titans from the Eels, which adds plenty of coverage for a number of roles – plus a handy No.14 for the 2022 season.
WHICH PLAYER CAN THEY REINVENT? - AJ Brimson.
His move to five-eighth in 2022 will be an interesting one to watch. The Queensland Maroons representative admitted he is relishing the chance to wear the No.6 jersey, however it’s a position he hasn’t played much in following his foray at fullback. If there’s one player in their system the Titans can reinvent, it’s Brimson.
WILL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT UPGRADED KIDS MAKE AN IMPACT? - Alofiana Khan-Pereira.
The try-scoring speed machine has been turning heads on the Gold Coast in recent years and was rewarded with a two-year contract extension to join the Top 30 squad earlier this year. The 19-year-old winger hit top speed of 36.5km/hr in a Rugby League Gold Coast A Grade match last year, to become the fastest player in the Titans squad. Alofiana Khan-Pereira will look to battle it out with Corey Thompson and Phillip Sami for a starting wing spot in 2022.
WHO TAKES THE NEXT STEP? - Jayden Campbell
The son of a gun enjoyed an incredible start to his NRL career, playing seven games for five tries and 31 tackle breaks in 2021. With the taste of first grade still fresh in his mind, Campbell will be eager for more and a chance to make the Gold Coast No.1 jersey his own.
IT’S A BIG YEAR FOR...David Fifita
The steamrolling backrower who smashed the record books in 2021. The 21-year-old lived up to his million dollar price tag in his first year at the Titans, scoring a club record 17 tries and scored the most tries for a forward since the 1998 season. Now the challenge is for him to back it up and avoid the dreaded second year syndrome. The task for Holbrook is to get the best out of his star player to continue his domination on the field.
WHERE THEY’LL FINISH IN 2022
If Patrick Herbert had just passed the ball in the dying seconds of their elimination final against the Roosters, who knows how far the Titans could have got in 2021. They will be all the more better for experiencing a finals appearance – the first time for some players – and will be determined to replicate it again in 2022.
FINISH: 9th.
CAPTAINCY CONTENDERS
AJ Brimson, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Brian Kelly, Moeaki Fotuaika
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Continued their upwards trajectory with their first finals appearance since 2016 and almost made it to week two in a nail biting finals clash with the Roosters.
Their defence still needs work however as they lost five games in 2021 scoring 24 points or more — the most of any team.
Added premiership winner Issac Liu to their already impressive forward back but will head into 2022 minus three of their four first choice spine players from last season with Jamal Fogarty, Ash Taylor and Mitch Rein all leaving the club.
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