Some new recruits, strong representative showings and promising young guns will have Titans fans hopeful of a better performance from their team in 2023.
Although 2022 was a disappointing year which finished well below expectations, the side recorded a positive end to the season to avoid the wooden spoon after claiming three wins from their last five games.
Captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was outstanding again and a shining light for his fellow players to follow and is one of seven current players who featured in the recent Rugby League World Cup.
Match: Wests Tigers v Titans
Round 1 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
12th Position
away Team
Titans
2nd Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Predicted Round 1 team
- AJ Brimson
- Alofiana Khan-Pereira
- Aaron Schoupp
- Phil Sami
- Jojo Fifita
- Kieran Foran
- Tanah Boyd
- Jaimin Jolliffe
- Sam Verrills
- Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
- David Fifita
- Beau Fermor
- Isaac Liu
- Jayden Campbell
- Erin Clark
- Moeaki Fotuaika
- Joe Stimson
Other: Chris Randall, Toby Sexton, Brian Kelly (suspended), Patrick Herbert (injured), Klese Haas, Sam McIntyre, Jacob Alick, Joseph Vuna, Thomas Weaver, Treymain Spry, Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui (development), Tony Francis (development) Josiah Pahulu (development), Keano Kini (development)
'They're really eager and that excites me': Foran
Squad watch
- Squad spots filled: 27/30
The Titans went a long way to address some of the major issues in their squad over the summer with the signings of the experienced Kieran Foran to provide guidance in the halves and Sam Verrills, a noted dummy half.
Another new signing, Chris Randall, will be pushing to debut for the club as well, depending on if Verrills is expected to play the full 80.
With the long-term injury to Aaron Booth, the arrival of Randall also provides depth in the position which was reluctantly filled for much of last season by Erin Clark, who was later successfully shifted to lock.
With three spots now left on their roster following the signing of Treymain Spry on a two-year deal and the departure of Paul Turner to the Dragons, Justin Holbrook could bolster his squad with another experienced outside back or two before kick-off.
Health watch
The main concern for the Gold Coast is Kiwi centre Patrick Herbert who is recovering from an ACL injury suffered in Round 23 last year and is “still a while away” and not expected to return any time soon.
Brian Kelly is suspended for the opening two rounds of the season following a dangerous throw tackle last year.
Fa'asuamaleaui: I want to take it to another level
Most contentious position
It has been a question asked all pre-season and one that is likely to continue to get asked … who will play fullback, AJ Brimson or Jayden Campbell?
While Brimson and Campbell are both skilled in the custodian role, Brimson is also adept in the halves, with every victory he was a part of in 2022 coming at five-eighth.
Campbell played left centre during the club's first Pre-season Challenge match and could do so in Round 1 with Brian Kelly suspended.
Biggest strength
On paper, the Titans have many strengths - representative level forwards including their captain who was part of the World Cup-winning Kangaroos squad, second row talent galore, eager youngsters and strong performers in their affiliate clubs gunning for spots.
However, they have done so for a while, which is what made their 2022 season all the more disappointing.
This season, they still have all these strengths in their kit bag, but with the addition of experience to the squad and improved leadership from players hoping to prevent a repeat of 2022, they should be able to turn the tide and improve their results.
Biggest question mark
As well as finding the right place in the overall puzzle, there are a lot of smaller questions for the Titans to answer this year like the halves pairing, will Foran be the key and how to unlock the skills of David Fifita who showed glimpses of what he could do last year.
However, the biggest question will be around the team’s mindset, especially in defence after leaking the most metres per game on average last year.
They lost the unlosable on numerous occasions, going down after conceding 20 point leads, unable to halt the momentum building against them.
With Brett White signed up as an assistant to help with defence, Holbrook will be hoping to steel up their mindset this year to try and prevent any more costly capitulations.
Pre-season Challenge information
- February 12: Titans v Broncos at Sunshine Coast Stadium
- February 19: Titans v Dolphins at Kayo Stadium
