Anthony Griffin’s verdict: Exciting times ahead for talented Titans
Representative recruits and more solid signings round out a squad that looks as strong as the Titans have put together for some time, as they look to challenge for the NRL finals.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
This could be an exciting year for Gold Coast fans.
They’ve secured representative recruits in Shannon Boyd and Tyrone Peachey, the return of former Titans Tyrone Roberts from the UK Super League and Brian Kelly from Manly. Add in Melbourne half Ryley Jacks and this looks as strong a squad the Titans have put together for some time.
Garth Brennan will also be better prepared for his second year as an NRL head coach.
BUILDING FORWARDS
The Gold Coast have been gradually building their forward stocks over recent years. This season every starting forward is representative quality.
Boyd will start up front with Queensland origin prop Jarrod Wallace. Another Maroon, Jai Arrow, will start at lock.
Boyd and Wallace have the size to get the Titans on the front foot. Arrow is as tough as they come.
This middle unit must start the season with purpose. Set a standard for the rest of team to follow.
On the edges, Kiwi international Kevin Proctor will start on the right and captain Ryan James could find himself on the left.
Proctor and James are the two most experienced forwards in the pack. If the Titans are serious about making the finals, these guys must show the way.
The depth in the roster is impressive. There is a lot of competition for interchange spots. Max King, Jack Stockwell, Keegan Hipgrave, Leilani Latu, Jai Whitbread, Morgan Boyle and Moeaki Fotuaila will all be competing for the middle-forward interchange jerseys.
Fotuaila impressed last year in his debut season. Edge forwards Will Mathews and Bryce Cartwright can both play a few positions. Cartwright is the wildcard with his unique attacking ability. It will be intriguing to see what role he plays.
LIFE’S A PEACH
The big question after they recruited Peachey was where does he play? He will most likely slot into left centre. He performed well for Penrith there.
Which will leave Kelly, Dale Copley and Branko Lee to fight over the right-centre position.
Kelly had a good year at Manly last year and is a real talent. Copley has had knee surgery and could miss the trials, and Lee finished last season in this spot. It’s a tough call but Kelly might win the race.
WINGING IT
The wing positions look more settled with the experienced Anthony Don on the right and exciting youngster Phillip Sami on the left. They both know how to find the tryline, scoring 29 between them in 2019.
TAYLOR MADE
Halfback Ash Taylor now has 70 games under his belt. This season he has the opportunity to do something special.
His short kicking game is outstanding and he can break the line with his running game. The challenge for him is to successfully direct this promising Titans team for 24 weeks, and then into September.
It’s hard for young playmakers to stay composed when they start out in the NRL. They can run into the trap of flipping through their playbooks looking for answers against relentless defensive lines.
Most of the time the answer is to do nothing at all, except talk your team through a tough simple set and execute your kick at the end of it.
In finals football, you might have to build pressure for 15 or 20 minutes to put your team into a scoring position. If Taylor can start the year with a finals approach, the Titans are a good chance of racking up some important early victories.
BACK-UP PLAN
His halves partner for most of last year was AJ Brimson. He is likely to start at fullback after excelling there for the last four games of 2018. He is a dynamic runner of the ball.
If Brimson starts at fullback, expect Roberts to return to partner Taylor in the halves. Roberts has plenty of experience (138 games) and has played finals with Newcastle. He will be a handy partner for Taylor.
PEATS SAKE
The hooking position will be filled by Nathan Peats. Another player with Origin and finals experience, Peats brings toughness. He can help guide this young playmaker group.
The other dummy half on the roster is Mitch Rein. A very good, experienced player. Michael Gordon adds depth in fullback position, while Jacks covers the halves.
FAST START
The Titans play four top-eight teams from 2018 in the first five rounds. This provides a wonderful opportunity to get stuck in early and play some good football against quality opposition. You have to beat the teams above you to make the finals.
If they can be sitting on three or four wins after round five they will be full of confidence. It’s a lot tougher trying to do it at the other end of the season, if you’re playing catch up.
ROOKIE TO WATCH
Moeaki Fotuaika. A local boy who trialled for the under-20s in 2017. Only 19, he has 16 NRL games under his belt. A powerful player.
STAT ATTACK
The Titans had their line broken 6.1 time per game, the most in the NRL. They scored 472 points — the same as the eighth-placed Warriors.
Meninga’s call on Kangaroos changes
Mal Meninga is expected to stick with the same spine that got the job done against Tonga, with the Kangaroos coach hoping for more attacking cohesion in New Zealand.
Jarryd Hayne’s camp hits out at AFL scandal
Jarryd Hayne’s high profile lawyer has hit out after the former NRL star was dragged into the ugly GWS Giants post-season scandal.