2023 Preview: Gold Coast Titans

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Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook could face an uphill battle to keep his job if 2022 form is anything to go by. But the 2019 Super League winning coach will be hoping a couple of astute signings in key positions can help to turn their fortunes around in season 2023. 

After featuring in finals football in 2021, the Titans came into last season with plenty of pundits predicting a similar finish come the start of September. Fans were quick to identify the lack of experience amongst the squad, especially in crucial positions, was costing them dearly. The lack of creativity around the ruck and little to no defensive starch that is required in the middle certainly hurt the Titans' chances of making an impression last year, ultimately landing them in the bottom four. 

The men from the glitter strip will be hoping the arrival of veteran half Kieran Foran, along with premiership winning dummy-half Sam Verrills, can turn the club's fortunes around this coming season. Foran's landing should remedy the lack of experience that was so apparent in the team's spine last year and give them some direction they were sorely lacking. Verrills' spark out of acting-half can give the Titans another point of difference in their attack and keep defences guessing given the amount of X-factor across the park in this outfit. Another year under the belt of what is a very young forward pack can only benefit the side further as well. 

Why they'll win it 

The Titans have a wealth of youthful exuberance in their side, particularly in the forward pack. The club boats the likes of Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, David Fifita and Moeaki Fotuaika. Add to that the likes of Beau Fermor and the experienced Isaac Liu, and you have a more than admirable pack of forwards who can do some serious damage to defences. 

The addition of Kieran Foran should give the side more structure and direction as they will look to capitalise on the opportunities their forward pack creates. Foran and fellow new recruit Sam Verrills can undoubtedly assist the team in sparking some creativity once they get into attacking spaces on the field.  

Why they won't

If the Titans can get a fortunate run with injuries and suspensions, then they could have a better run this year than what is expected of them. That in itself though is the issue, their depth. An injury or two to some key players and the team's performances could suffer immensely, especially if a member of their spine was to go down.

It's probably also fair to say that some places in this squad's seventeen are perhaps too safe if you cast an eye over the entirety of their list. It's hard to see some of the forwards especially breaking into the side. Maybe you could take that as a compliment to the Titans' team of forwards, but could they be getting too comfortable that their position is safe? 

Key Players 

It goes without saying that David Fifita's form is crucial to the Titans' chance of success in 2023. The backrower had a quieter year than he would have liked last season, resulting in him losing a spot in the Queensland State of Origin team. After a year of outside pressure and noise last year, perhaps an off-season is just what the barnstorming forward needed to reach his damaging best, and that is what Gold Coast fans will be hoping for this year. 

It will be interesting to see what the Titans' two best recruits for this season, Kieran Foran and Sam Verrills, can bring to the table in a team that struggled last year. Both have been part of successful systems in the past, have won premierships, and can bring something to the side that has been lacking. Foran's ability to dig deep into the line and create space for his outside men could open up the field and allow their second rowers and backs more room to move. Add to that his calmness under pressure and kicking game, and the Titans will certainly be an improved side. Verrills brings a spark that the Titans were probably missing last year and allows the halves good service, which could completely transform the way they play and get them on the front foot. 

Halfback Tanah Boyd, should he get the nod to wear the number seven, is an interesting proposition. Boyd has played a lot of junior and schoolboy football alongside David Fifita in the past and struck up a lethal combination. Could Fifita's Keebra Park compatriot be the key to unlocking his potential? 

Rookies to watch

Alofiana Khan-Pereira is a winger that has speed to burn and keep leave defenders in his wake through his acceleration. Some more speed out wide could be beneficial for the Titans given the space that is certain to open up on the fringes due to the arrival of Kieran Foran. 

2023 Titans Squad

Predicted Round 1 Side 

1. AJ Brimson 
2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 
3. Aaron Shoupp
4. Phillip Sami 
5. Jojo Fifita 
6. Kieran Foran 
7. Tanah Boyd 
8. Jaimin Joliffe
9. Sam Verrills 
10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 
11. David Fifita 
12. Beau Fermor 
13. Isaac Liu 

14. Jayden Campbell 
15. Erin Clark 
16. Moeaki Fotuaika
17. Sam McIntyre 

Fixtures

Some statistics courtesy Rugby League Project.