Tip sheet: 10 talking points for the Titans in 2023

The Titans had a disappointing 2022 season which never really reached any great heights as they look to make amends next year. 

Titans coach Justin Holbrook will need to look to more than just his coach's playbook in a bid to spark the squad, who have all the talent but haven't been able to find consistency. 

NRL.com reflects on some key learnings for the Titans in 2022 and looks ahead to why things are in place to get better next season.

Captain Tino

The leader of the pack and a player who has quickly become the heartbeat of the club.

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui's second season at the Titans was inspirational considering where the side finished on the Telstra Premiership ladder.

What you get with Fa'asuamaleaui's game is a high work rate and consistency, something the side requires next season to make a dent in the competition. 

He will return to pre-season training in January with his decision to stay at the club long-term a massive boost going into the new year.

Fifita's bounce back factor

David Fifita didn't have the greatest season in the NRL for 2022 but at times showed just how devastating he can be with the ball in hand. 

Some may argue that the pay packet he's on means he should be delivering every week - and rightfully so - but if you also factor in the side's performances, they also need to find the right time to get him the ball.

Many will hope Fifita's campaign with Tonga at the World Cup will ensure he brings some momentum back to the Titans in 2023 because if they're to make a return to finals footy, the former Queensland forward needs to be front and centre of the revival. 

Fermor's consistency

While all eyes were on Fifita in 2022, the left edge featuring Beau Fermor flew under the radar and provided Justin Holbrook with some consistency in the back row. 

Fermor arrived from the Knights midway through the 2021 season and made the left edge spot his own with 11 tries in 23 appearances.

Another forward who can play the full 80 if required, Fermor's game is only going to get better with more time spent on the field.

He was rewarded with PM's XIII selection in September while he also spent time with Queensland as a squad member during this year's winning series. 

Verrills answers call

Premiership-winning hooker Sam Verrills arrives on the Gold Coast looking to take ownership of a position where the Titans have struggled in recent years to make a massive impact. 

Verrills' departure from the Roosters, where he was crucial to the side's title-winning season in 2019, came after the Tricolours landed Brandon Smith from the Storm.

Trent Robinson's decision on Verrills' future is the Titans' gain with the 23-year-old arriving at the right time of his career to make an impact for his new club.

The only concern for the Titans is Verrills' recent injury woes. He's played just 29 games in the past two seasons due to luckless setbacks, including a major ACL injury in 2020.

The Foran factor

Kieran Foran's arrival to the Gold Coast is experience the Titans desperately need in their playmaker ranks with the former Sea Eagle set to bring composure and maturity to the squad.

Foran's work ethic throughout his career in the NRL is up there with the best in the game and the club will be hoping that sort of influence can rub off on some of the younger players in the side.

The 32-year-old also appears to have put his injury woes aside in recent years, managing 49 games - missing just two - in two seasons.

Spine lessons

It started out as the most inexperienced spine in the NRL, and showed throughout the 2022 season but with another 12 months under the belt including a full pre-season, you expect the Titans to be much better in this area.

The departure of Jamal Fogarty last season no doubt affected the side's overall attack and composure in 2022 with AJ Brimson, Toby Sexton and Tanah Boyd all taking turns in the halves throughout the year.

The injuries to Jayden Campbell also didn't help the cause with Brimson reverting to fullback to cover, meaning more reshuffling often occurred. 

Brimson's combination with Boyd towards the end of the season looked promising once Campbell got back on the field.

Utilising AJ

Still on AJ Brimson and the 24-year-old remains one of the squad's most creative players on their roster. 

With Foran's arrival, it will be intriguing to see where Justin Holbrook opts to play both players - either in the halves together or elsewhere.

For every victory Brimson was a part of in 2022 he played a key role at five-eighth.

Jojo Fifita could be anything

He only played eight games in his rookie season but all signs point to Jojo Fifita being a star on the coast for years to come. 

The 19-year-old knocked back offers from rival clubs and codes to re-sign with the Titans in October on a deal that will take him through until at least the end of 2025.

Likewise the Titans have a promising crop of talent coming through alongside Fifita with Tino Fa'asuamaleaui's brother Iszac in the club's development squad for 2023 and Payne Haas' brother Klese in the top 30 after debuting late in the recent season.

Holbrook gets support 

Justin Holbrook has had a difficult time at the Titans, winning just 36.2% of games since 2020, but one thing that has remained a constant is the support he's received from the club. 

Holbrook has only a handful of players left in his squad from when he first arrived, showing the turnover that has occurred in a bid for him to get the team he wants.

Former Raiders assistant coach Brett White is also on his way to join Holbrook as his understudy with White having spent time with the Green Machine and Melbourne in recent years.

Campbell due for luck

Jayden Campbell had a tough second season in the NRL, with injuries restricting him to 14 games, but the Titans looked a far better side with him on the paddock.

Campbell's return from a rib injury in Magic Round saw him produce his best performance yet with 266 running metres ran and 10 tackle busts. 

A hamstring tear in June halted any further momentum he was trying to build before he returned in Round 19 to help the Titans to a further three wins at the end of the season. 

There's no denying Campbell has the talent to be a long-term prospect at the Titans and has all the potential to have a big 2023 season if he can stay fit.

"Last off-season I sort of took it a little bit easy and did nothing but this year before I took my trip to Europe I did a fair bit of training so hopefully so I’ll have my body the best it can be for 2023 season," Campbell said on his first day of pre-season.

"I had two injuries that had me out for 11 weeks in total in 2022 so my personal goal will be to get through a full season and keep my body right.

"Justin [Holbrook] happy for me to play at the same weight but he wants me to get stronger and I feel I need to get stronger as well."