Jaylan De Groot has shared his eagerness to be the ultimate team man for new coach Josh Hannay after getting a significant taste of NRL last season.
Making 17 appearances for the Titans in 2025 in various roles - including fullback and on the wing - the 22-year-old returned to pre-season training this week hungry as ever to cement a regular spot in Gold Coast's top 17 after several key injuries opened the door to him becoming a mainstay.
"It was definitely a good year for my footy personally and I'm very grateful for the opportunity," De Groot said.
"I got to play a handful of NRL games and whatever position I was, I was just happy to play wherever to be in the team and be around the boys.
"It's a awesome feeling to be on the field among them and I'm definitely looking to do that again next year."
'It's good to be back': De Groot
That even includes in a new position should the new Titans coach want the recently re-signed outside back in a new role for the upcoming campaign, with De Groot putting his hand up to play anywhere across the back five or off the bench in order to earn him consistent first grade.
"I've always prided myself on being able to play at fullback, wing or centre; and I'm willing to learn new things, so I'm happy to play anywhere that's best for the team," he said.
"I always want to put my best foot forward for the team, wherever that position that is, and I don't want to change that."
Beginning his fifth pre-season as one of the more experienced players currently at Titans HQ in the early weeks of the new season, a few experienced heads have popped in for extras and to meet the new coaching staff, which has left a big impression on the young group who are training.
"It's very exciting to see some boys wanting to pop in early and it shows the commitment we all have to this club and wanting to improve and be better," De Groot said.
"All the boys that come in here everyday are working towards that one goal and I think Josh and the coaching staff are very similar and want to achieve the exact same goal.
"All of us in the building are working towards that and the experienced boys popping in early just shows how much people want to improve around here."
