The Titans' 2026 season may be coming to an end, but the work towards next year's Las Vegas opener has already begun.
The Gold Coast will take their first steps towards a fresh season on the biggest international stage in rugby league when they open their 2027 campaign against Parramatta at Allegiant Stadium.
Friday night's Queensland derby against the in-form Dolphins at Cbus Super Stadium gives the Titans one final opportunity to show their home fans the brand of football they want to showcase next year.
For Hannay, the most encouraging part of his debut season as coach has been the resilience of his players.
"What I have seen from this group is a no-quit attitude," Hannay said.
"We need to hit the ground running and that will be a big improvement for us next year, to get that part of the game better and play on the front foot, not so much on the back foot."
Hannay stepped into his first full-time NRL head coaching role this season and, while the Titans have managed six wins, he believes their results don't tell the full story of the progress being made.
Titans v Dolphins: Round 27
"It would be great for us to see, and the people to see, the best version of ourselves," Hannay said.
"For large parts of the year we have been showing that, win or lose, but the last five weeks have been inconsistent.
"There have been wild fluctuations in our footy the past few weeks. We want people to see the best version of us."
That consistency will be the focus heading into 2027.
Hannay believes the Titans' improvement will come through game experience and continued investment in the young players.
Pascoe bags a double and the celebration says it all!
"We won't see significant change this off-season," Hannay said.
"I have said over and over again that the growth of this side will be experience. Guys don't get experience by guys coming in and getting over the top.
"We have seen with Zane Harrison, Ollie Pascoe, Bodhi Sharpley at the back end of the season, the wingers we debuted, and Jojo Fifita's consistency in his role.
"You see the guys when they are given consistent reps and belief, you see the growth.
"The answer isn't to step away from that. The answer is to stay the course and see where these guys are at 12 months from now."
That makes Friday night's clash with the Dolphins about more than simply finishing the season on a high.
The Titans take on one of the most red-hot teams in the competition, with Hannay hoping his side can recapture the confidence and attacking footy they have shown at different stages throughout the year.
Dragons v Titans - Round 21, 2026
Their earlier meeting remains fresh in his mind after the Gold Coast surrendered a 14-point lead.
"Earlier in the year it was the one that got away," Hannay said.
"We led them 14-nil and got mowed down late in the game.
"They are in form and they've got something that we probably don't at the moment, which is confidence.
"They are playing with a lot of confidence and we need to find ours tomorrow night.
"If we do, we will be OK."
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