Showing the door to inaugural halfback Scott Prince and some quality recruitment may see the Gold Coast push for a finals sport this year.
Now I now that most people would disagree, and at time of writing I'm still not sure myself, but it could still happen.
The key to the Titans finals chances lie in the forward pack.
One of the most accomplished back rows in the league sees Greg Bird, Mark Minichiello, Nate Myles, Ashley Harrison, Ben Ridge joined by David Taylor to compete for less jerseys than are what available. Throw Ryan James, who is primarily a prop but can cover second-row, into the mix and you have a formula for intense competition, a gun back row and a disappointed few pulling on Burleigh or Tweed Heads jerseys.
One of the best young hookers in the game Matt Srama has the No.9 jersey under armed guard and will keep the position for as long as he is fit. Beau Falloon and new signing Albert Kelly can both cover the position but aren't in the same class as Srama.
The front row is quite underrated, with veteran Luke Bailey and the seemingly indestructible Luke Douglas as the bookends. Bailey's stunt double in Matthew White is no slouch, and the flexibility of Myles, James and Taylor should see the front-row covered, provided they stay fit.
The halves may be a cause for concern but I'm excited at the prospect of having two young guys in there together. Aiden Sezer, Kelly, Jordan Rankin and Beau Henry paint the picture of the Titans - not much NRL experience when compared to other teams but NRL quality players in their own right.
Sezer and Rankin played together for Burleigh last year and have that experience, but Kelly could make one of the jerseys his own. The forgotten Henry lurks in the shadows after being unwanted at two previous clubs after gaining NRL selection. Look for enterprising and potentially entertaining play but the lack of experience could see them falter.
The back line isn't made of star power, bar Jamal Idris, but speedy blokes who could cause all sorts of trouble for the opposition when they switch off.
William Zillman has made the fullback role his own since leaving Canberra all those years ago, while Kevin Gordon and David Mead have made their homes on the wings.
Idris covers one of the centre positions with the other spot unclaimed. Contenders are Steve Michaels, Luke O'Dwyer, Kelly and new signing Marmin Barba, and the list expands to include Anthony Don if they consider shifting Gordon to the centre.
Titans: 1. William Zillman 2. Anthony Don 3. Kevin Gordon 4. Jamal Idris 5. David Mead 6. Aiden Sezer 7. Beau Henry 8. Luke Bailey 9. Matt Srama 10. Luke Douglas 11. Greg Bird 12. Nate Myles 13. Ashley Harrison Interchange 14. David Taylor 15. Ryan James 16. Matt White 17. Albert Kelly
On the fringe: Mark Minichiello Marmin Barba, Jordan Rankin, Beau Falloon, Steve Michaels, Luke O' Dwyer, Ben Ridge, Brad Takairangi
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