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The hotel room shared by Josh Hoffman and Nene Macdonald serves as the games room.

Before the Titans embarked on their cross-country expedition that includes games in Perth against the Rabbitohs and against the Eels in Darwin, Hoffman packed his trusty Sony PlayStation along with a collection of games that includes NBA 2K16, UFC and FIFA.

While some members of the travelling Titans explored culinary offerings in cities that the majority were visiting for the very first time, the likes of Agnatius Paasi, Leivaha Pulu, Eddy Pettybourne and Zeb Taia will cram into Hoffman's room and keep their competitive juices flowing with intense exchanges on two-dimensional courts, fighting cages and soccer pitches.

"Everybody is on par," Hoffman tells NRL.com of their respective gaming skills. "We're all sort of equal but Nene has got me covered on UFC but I'm a bit of a Michael Jordan when it comes to the basketball."

"When we team up against the other boys they can't beat us," Macdonald says of his partnership with Hoffman that has stretched from the left side of the Titans attack into the world of virtual reality.

Afternoon snack down the docks with the boys🐠🦀 #Perth

A photo posted by Nathan Friend (@09friendy) on

The Perth-Darwin double in consecutive weeks is an unprecedented trip for any NRL team to have undertaken team but one which the Titans have chosen to embrace rather than dread.

Their thrilling golden-point win over South Sydney at nib Stadium last Sunday not only stretched their winning streak to three games but earned them a place in the top eight, a position they can solidify with a win over the Eels at TIO Stadium in Darwin on Saturday.

As they have shown in the majority of their games this season this is a tight-knit Titans playing group and many took the opportunity to explore what the Northern Territory has to offer from a tourist's perspective on Thursday.

Coach Neil Henry, Greg Bird, Tyrone Roberts, Nathan Davis, Nathan Friend, Ryan Simpkins, Ashley Taylor and Cameron Cullen headed out at dawn on a fishing charter with Equinox Charters while Chris McQueen, Nathan Peats, Lachlan Burr, Konrad Hurrell, Taia, Paasi, Pulu and assistant coach Terry Matterson saw some prehistoric wildlife up close on the Adelaide River crocodile jumping tour.

Stumpy the croc putting on a good show for the boys #Darwin #titans #thrunthru #stumpy

A video posted by Chris McQueen (@mcqueen_1070) on

A win against the Eels has the potential to make it a season-defining trip for the Titans who have also been able to use the 10 days away to get to know their two new signings in Peats and Konrad Hurrell, who Hoffman says has already become a popular member of the group.

"Koni is floating everywhere, he mixes and mingles with everyone," Hoffman said.

"He's just a colourful person, everyone laughs when he's around and everyone wants to get to know him.

"We all welcomed him like he was part of the club already. It's really good to have someone like that that can cheer a place up and make everybody laugh.

"When it comes to getting the job done he's 100 per cent committed and he'll do anything for the team that he's playing for.

"'Peatsy' and Chris McQueen have gotten back together and got their bromance sparking again after being at the Rabbitohs. I think they're rooming together as well which is pretty scary.

"Everyone does have their little groups but when we come together it's just like everyone's mates again."

Twelve months ago the club was being torn apart as they went from one disaster to the next and with such a strong bond in the 2016 team Hoffman now admits that the off-field distractions last year did take their toll.

"Everybody is hungry to play for each other," Hoffman explained.

"There was a bit of distraction last year which held the team back a bit but this year it is a fresh start with some new faces in the playing group and everybody has got a desire to play for each other and work hard.

"Neil has done a really great job with the team and I'm looking forward to the future and what 2016 and beyond brings for the Gold Coast Titans."

 

 

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