Gold Coast Titans: David Fifita’s position tug of war begins

THE tug of war for David Fifita has already begun at Gold Coast Titans training with both left and right edges battling to convince coach Justin Holbrook the young superstar belongs with them.

Gold Coast Titans training. New Titans recruit David Fifita at training on Thursday. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

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THE tug of war for David Fifita has already begun at Gold Coast Titans training with both left and right edges battling to convince coach Justin Holbrook the young superstar belongs with them.

Fifita has featured on both sides of the field for the Titans since returning to training from off-season rehabilitation work.

Fifita broke into the NRL as a junior representative star on the right but rose to stardom after replacing Gold Coast product Alex Glenn on the left for the Brisbane Broncos.

Where he lines up for Gold Coast will have a greater effect on how the Titans attack than any other selection.

Gold Coast Titans training. New Titans recruit David Fifita at training on Thursday. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Combining Fifita with the strike power of Brian Kelly and Phillip Sami on the left wing, outside Ash Taylor calling the shots from five-eighth, would create one of the NRL’s most dangerous attacking units.

It is a tantalising prospect that has the full support of Kelly, who recently rejected interest from the Bulldogs and Sharks to extend his Titans contract through 2023 to match Fifita’s time on the Coast.

“If we both get fit and ready through pre-season who knows what can happen,” the centre said.

Brian Kelly has won the 2020 Gold Coast Titans Paul Broughton Medal. Picture: Supplied.

“He’s a big, powerful boy, Davey. He’ll probably just power through everyone.

“It’s fun to be out there now he’s back at training, building those combinations.

“I just love watching him play. He’s David Fifita.”

Adding Fifita into the mix on the left edge will reduce the pressure on Kelly to create in attack but could also expose the Titans in defence.

Fifita’s defence was the area of his game he said had the most room for growth, while Kelly said their ability to work without the ball would be the key to a successful partnership.

If that connection cannot click Kevin Proctor is the logical choice to bodyguard Taylor, who missed the most tackles per game (3.7) of any starter in the NRL last season.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Kevin Proctor of the Titans is tackled by Mitchell Barnett and Mitchell Pearce of the Knights during the round 20 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Newcastle Knights at Cbus Super Stadium on September 25, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Proctor said he was equally comfortable in either position.

“It doesn’t bother me,” the 31-year-old said.

“Some players prefer right or left but there’s no specific side I choose. I’ll do the best thing for my teammates, left or right.”

Fififta’s presence on the right would help spark an edge unit that struggled to hit top gear outside of Anthony Don’s moments of magic.

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TANAH Boyd is the little-known 20-year-old Titans utility who could hold the key to completing the Gold Coast’s roster puzzle for 2021.

The NRL club’s dearth of talent at hooker in 2020 forced the lightweight playmaker into a foreign role as an interchange dummy-half, after signing with the club as a national title-winning halfback at Keebra Park in 2017.

Boyd earned the respect of coaches for the spark he brought to the team but was always a square peg adapting into a round hole.

His hooker experiment now appears to have passed its used-by date, with the young halfback returning to his natural position to understudy presumptive Titans skipper Jamal Fogarty during the pre-season.

File picture: Gold Coast Titan Tanah Boyd at training. Picture: Supplied.

“Last year was just that we needed someone in that spot to come on and bring that energy,” Boyd said.

“That was kind of last year. I’m just training at half at the moment. I love playing half and I’ll keep working at that.

”We’ll see how I go and if I play that No.14 role again I’ll do it. That’s up to Justin (Holbrook).”

Boyd’s departure from the club’s hooker equation has created a vacancy for an experienced rake to complete the Titans’ top 30 squad.

The Titans have signed 29 players to their NRL contingent for next season but only two specialist hookers, Mitch Rein and Erin Clark, are among that number.

A team source confirmed the club had the flexibility to restructure their salary cap if it meant finding a place for Cameron Smith.

Cameron Smith of the Storm poses with the Premiership trophy. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The Storm skipper is an NRL free agent after relocating to the Gold Coast and is still yet to confirm his intentions for 2021.

Coach Holbrook confirmed the Titans were also “looking into” signing fellow Storm hooker Brandon Smith, after the Kiwi international secured a release from his contract from 2022.

“It’s all up in the air at the moment,” Boyd said of the hooker position, and the possibility of a new recruit joining the group.

“We’ve got an experienced hooker in Mitch Rein, he’s been playing for a long time now.

“But yeah, if someone comes in they come in. I’m just focusing on playing half.”

Boyd’s position shift could have a further ripple effect through the Titans roster.

With reigning State of Origin champion lock Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Herman Ese’ese pressing their claims for the No.13 jersey, incumbent Tyrone Peachey appears set to return to the interchange bench as a utility, potentially freeing Boyd to continue his development as the club’s second-choice halfback.

Boyd said his taste of life in the firing line in midfield had been beneficial to his development as a player.

Tanah Boyd could return to halfback. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

“The experience has given me confidence,” Boyd said.

“It was pretty hard at first, being in the middle where they’re just coming at you constantly, and the back-to-back efforts were pretty tough to get used to.

“The hardest thing was going from defence to attack straight away.

“Towards the end I started to get more comfortable and it was all right. I used it as a learning experience.

“I understand the game more now because I know what the forwards are going through and how hard they’re working.”

The kilograms of muscle Boyd has packed on over the off-season have brought him closer to the generous 86kg mark he was listed in the matchday programs.

Adding power and speed are important by-products of his physical development but Boyd’s key target is developing his game management skill.

He has found a fine mentor for that in Fogarty.

“I love working with Jamal,” Boyd said.

“He’s the ultimate professional and I get along real good with him.

“He’s always talking to me and encouraging me to be a leader, and sharing how he sees the game and thinks about the game.

“He’s awesome at that.”