2023 review: Gold Coast Titans

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AJ Lucantonio continues our 2023 NRL club review series, today he looks at the 14th-placed Gold Coast Titans.

One coach walks the plank for the mad scientist

Coming into 2023, improvement was expected for the Gold Coast Titans. After the disappointment and under-achieving that under-minded their 2022 campaign. Big things were expected for the boys from Surfers Paradise.

This season for the Gold Coast Titans, much like their performances this season was half-successful. It was a trying year for the second youngest club in the premiership with the hard decision made to send Holbrook packing in the middle of the year. The way the club managed to keep their affairs in-house deserves kudos, but their on-field performance needs to take a seismic improvement in 2024 under the Mad Scientist Des Hasler if they want to keep to their bold and contentious 10 year plan.

After a mixed start to the year which saw them narrowly inside the 8 after 11 rounds, the wheels came off the Titans express and despite a Round 15 win and still in the 8. Holbrook was sacked in a power-move by Steve Mitchell. Despite Jim Lenihan's best efforts which included a shock upset win over the Broncos, the Titans would only win three of their remaining matches to end the season in a disappointing fourteenth position.

As an outsider watching the Titans, they are an exciting attacking team. No doubt, there will be some flair missing in their attack as Holbrook is long gone. The pressure will be on assistants Lenihan and Michael Monaghan to keep the attack in function as it's been one noticeable problem in Des Hasler coached sides in his recent coaching years (2021 excluded with PVL ball). Defensively again, they were disappointing conceding on average 27.21 points a game.

Turning point

It's easy to put the season down to one factor. The second half collapse against the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium. A comfortable lead was completely squandered in one half and would set the trend for the remainder of the season.

After this, collapses against Newcastle, Canterbury and Souths sealed Holbrook's faith and the Titans season was in full and utter free-fall.

What worked

Their forward pack at times looked incredible. They boasted 3 of QLD's pack with Moaeki Fotuaika, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and David Fifita all representing the Maroons in 2023.

This, combined with an exciting young backline which included Alofiana Khan-Pereria and Keano Kini chiming in along with AJ Brimson and Kieran Foran showing the experience required.

What failed

The decision to fire Justin Holbrook. For all the Titans flaws, Holbrook was far from the problem. Considering some of the coaching hires around the club which included the decline in defence which was expected be fixed by Brett White.

Replacing him with Hasler could be a defining moment in the Titans short history to improve the flaws. Resilience needs to improved considerably, way too often this side seems to give up when the going gets tough and it's been a habit at the club since 2021.

2024 week-by-week

Best players

Mo Fotuaika was declared the season's best player in 2023 for the Titans. His constant charges continued to give the Titans energy in 2023.

Also, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui's decision to commit long term seemed to give him new energy as he ran for an average of 168 metres a game which is a career high.

Elsewhere, AJ Brimson continued to shine with an abundance of attacking flair and skill which kept sides on edge all season.

Phil Sami was unlucky not to make the Origin scene with a strong season on the wing, his carries out of yardage continued to give the Titans a boost up-field.

Rookies

Alofiana Khan-Pereria debuted in Round 1 and set the Titans record for most tries in a season with 20 in just his first campaign. This saw him rewarded with a spot in the PM XII to play PNG. Also to debut was Keano Kini, the excitement machine has lit up QLD Cup for a while and got a shot first off the bench before making his run-on debut in Round 14. His spot long-term is unknown given the troubling fullback puzzle.

Jacob Alick finally debuted in Round 19 and was strong in his carries up field playing across a variety of positions. A consistent spot is what he needs and if he can find it with a strong pre-season, we can see what so many have wanted to see.

Tom Weaver got a crack towards the end of the season and got thrown to the wolves against Penrith, but held his own in his limited NRL run and will push Tanah Boyd all the way this pre-season.

2023 player list

28 players, average age 24.75yrs

Season snapshot

Coaches: Justin Holbrook (13), Jim Lenihan (11)
Captains: Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (20), AJ Brimson (4),  Kieran Foran (2)

Biggest home crowd: 26,563 (vs. Brisbane in round 7)
Average home crowd: 17,054

Top pointscorer: Tanah Boyd (147)
Top tryscorer: Alofiana Khan-Pereira (20)

Club awards

• "The Preston" Award: Steph Hancock
• Leagueability IDRL Player of the Year: Angelo Steele
• Leagueability PDRL Player of the Year: Cameron Cullen
• Leagueability All Abilities Player of the Year: Ryley Alexander
• NRL Rookie of the Year: Alofiana Khan-Pereira
• NRLW Rookie of the Year: Chantay Kiria-Ratu
• Members' NRL MVP: David Fifita
• Members' NRLW MVP: Evania Pelite
• NRL Coaches Award: Chris Randall
• NRLW Coaches Award: Georgia Hale
• NRLW Player of the Year: Shannon Mato
• Paul Broughton Medal: Moeaki Fotuaika

Looking ahead

This side really depends on their defence for mine. They've recruited a strong front-rower in Palasia which will reduce the overreliance on Tino and Mo. It will be a strong test for AJ Brimson too who we predict will move to centre in 2024 to make way for the excitement machine of Jayden Campbell. This side is quality and with Beau Fermor poking holes through the edge (something they missed SO MUCH last season). It will be interesting to see if they can cross the finals again!

2024 best 17

based on current signings at time of writing

1: Jayden Campbell
2: Alofiana Khan-Pereria
3: AJ Brimson
4: Brian Kelly
5: Phillip Sami
6: Kieran Foran
7: Tanah Boyd
8: Mo Fotuaika
9: Sam Verrills
10: Keenan Palasia
11: David Fifita
12: Beau Fermor
13: Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

14: Chris Randall
15: Erin Clark
16: Jaimin Jolliffe
17: Isaac Liu