Titans 2023 preview: So many questions loom over Gold Coast
The Gold Coast Titans certainly have what it takes to reach the Finals, but will the Queensland club’s pieces add up enough to finally break them from bottom?
Since 2013, the Gold Coast Titans have struggled to keep up with the big boys. Two eighth places in 2021 and 2016 has seen them trampling on the finals, but the last decade has been pretty tough for the most part – especially 2019.
Check out the PLAYUP NRL markets here
They’ve made some of the right moves, including relying on Justin Holbrook to rebuild systems in practice and in the park and adding David Fifita to their stable, but neither has performed in the way Gold Coast powerbrokers expect had, especially when it comes to Fifita and his game-changing capabilities.
This season, hope turns to newcomers Sam Verrills and Kieran Foran.
The pair, who hold both key positions, could be key to unlocking stars in the park like Fifita, AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell, who have all pivoted from rock to diamond and back in recent years.
Winning 25 percent of games in 2022 just isn’t good enough for a team with strong young talent – they need to aim higher this season.
conclusion of the last year: 13th, six wins and 18 losses
Last ten NRL campaigns: 13th, 8th (Elim), 9th, spoon, 14th, 15th, 8th (Elim), 14th, 14th, 9th
Estimated line-up for round 1
- Jayden Campbell
- Philip Sami
- Aaron Schoupp
- Jojo Fifita
- Patrick Herbert
- AJ Brimson
- Kieran Foran
- Moeaki Fotuaika
- Sam Verrills
- Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
- David Fifita
- Beau Fermor
- Erin Clark
- Tanah Boyd
- Joe Stimson
- Isaac Liu
- Jaiman Jollife
Coach: Justin Holbrook
biggest loss: Greg Marzhew, Jarrod Wallace Biggest win: Kieran Foran, Sam Verrills
This is what 2023 looks like for the Gold Coast
After several difficult years and only one notable final run (which ended in the first round) in recent history, things have gotten relatively dour on the Gold Coast.
However, heading into 2023, things could be looking up. Verrills and Foran are two strong backbone pickups and could work wonders to unearth the talent hidden between the blue and gold ranks.
The problem with this is that both are very injury-prone.
This leaves three things hovering over the Titans: can they keep their two asterisks in the park long enough to get the engine running, can they wake Fifita from him after a very bad year, and can they find young guns AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell the right hint.
There is a lot to ask and for that reason The sporty basis can’t see the final for the gold coast but there’s every chance they’ll lift if things go well early on.
Expected end of 2023: 13.
The first five: Tigers (A), Dragons (A), Storm (H), Cowboys (A), Bye
TopSport Odds: Premiers $51, Top 4 make: $15, Finals 8 make: $4.20, Top 8 miss: $1.23
minimum score: Avoid getting into the spoon fight.
Check out the PLAYUP NRL markets here