It’s time for Gold Coast Titans to make sweeping changes ahead of Bulldogs Round 10 home match

We can’t go on like this. The Bulletin has come up with five changes the struggling Titans simply must make plus the top 17 that should line up against the Bulldogs.

THE time has come.

Garth Brennan’s frustration-lined media conference following Gold Coast’s fadeout on Thursday night against Cronulla indicated the Titans coach may be ready to make sweeping changes to his top 17.

Enough is enough.

The Bulletin proposes the following changes may just spark the kind of effort fans want to see from their side in their next assignment against the Bulldogs at Cbus Super Stadium.

Moeaki Fotuaika proved a handful off the bench. Picture: Getty Images

Promote Fotuaika

The teenage prop has made a strong start to his second NRL season and appears to be the real deal.

No other forward gets the Titans going forward like “Moe” does, so let’s see him doing that from the opening whistle.

He could be a straight swap for Jarrod Wallace, who missed five tackles in a poor showing against the Sharks just weeks after copping an untimely suspension for another shoulder charge.

A wake-up call is in order for Jarrod Wallace (left) and Shannon Boyd. Picture: AAP Image

Drop Boyd

Most “drop Boyd” campaigns have centred around Darius up at the Broncos but we’re talking about the 122kg behemoth that is Shannon.

Similar to Wallace, Boyd has impressed in flashes but has not delivered what was expected of him. A wake-up call is in order.

Brian Kelly. Picture: Getty Images

Axe Kelly

A lot of excitement surrounded the return of Brian Kelly to the Gold Coast but the simple fact is he hasn’t aimed up well enough thus far.

The centre made some poor reads against Cronulla, missed six tackles and made errors.

What’s more is debutant Jesse Arthars proved himself and has been starring at right centre for Burleigh this year.

AJ Brimson scores a try against the Sharks. Picture: Getty Images

Brimson to fullback

This is not supposed to be an anti-Michael Gordon campaign because the veteran is a reliable player, an excellent ambassador and a terrific goalkicker.

But it remains clear to most that Brimson would provide a lot more spark from the crucial fullback role.

Brimson’s running game is arguably his biggest strength and what better way to unleash that than in the No.1 jersey, as he showed at the back end of 2018.

Max King. Picture: Getty Images

Go all in on energy

Energy and enthusiasm are two key elements needed to break the Titans out of their slump; it’s time to trust their talented young forwards to the max.

Max King got just 12 minutes at Suncorp Stadium despite doing a good job all season. And where was Jai Whitbread?

Putting faith in those two, as well as Keegan Hipgrave, is one sure-fire way to ensure fans can at least see a full steam ahead approach from the Titans pack.

Tyrone Roberts should be back from concussion to lead the Titans out against the Bulldogs. Picture: AAP Image

PROPOSED ROUND 10 TITANS TEAM

1. AJ Brimson

2. Anthony Don

3. Tyrone Peachey

4. Jesse Arthars

5. Dale Copley

6. Tyrone Roberts (c)

7. Ash Taylor

8. Moeaki Fotuaika

9. Mitch Rein

10. Max King

11. Kevin Proctor

12. Bryce Cartwright

13. Jai Arrow

Interchange:

14. Michael Gordon

15. Jarrod Wallace

16. Keegan Hipgrave

17. Jai Whitbread