He’s barely one week into his time on the Gold Coast, but new Titans playmaker Lachlan Ilias can barely wipe the smile from his face.
Speaking to the media from Titans HQ, Ilias was upbeat about the opportunities—and the challenges—that await under new head coach Josh Hannay, having put a frustrating 2025 season with the Dragons behind him.
“I’ve taken a lot of lessons out of the last two years,” the 25-year-old said.
“At Souths (2024) I was injured which was obviously unlucky, and then the Dragons just didn’t go the way we wanted. But I think I grew as a player stepping down to reserve grade and took a leadership role in that team—but enough about the Dragons, I’m here at the Titans now.”
MORE: R360 performs epic 180—and the NRL can’t stop laughing
‘I’ve missed that in the last couple of years’
Looking ahead, Ilias has been energised by the chance to make a fresh start for a new club in a new city.
“It’s been a really good environment (coming to the Titans), it’s energetic and it’s refreshing, I see a lot of positive change happening at this club and it’s something I really want to be a part of,” he said.
“Josh (Hannay) reached out and I’m really grateful, he sees a lot of potential in me and I haven’t reach it yet. He’s a big player developer which was a big green light for me, I’ve missed that in the last couple of years.”
Despite leaving the Dragons, Ilias understands there are no guarantees of landing a starting halves spot, or any position in the Titans first-choice 17.
“He (Hannay) just told me to come to pre-season, be relaxed, train hard and have a smile on my face—whatever happens will happen, and it will be the best thing for the team,” he said.
“I’d be open to anything the team needs, obviously I want to be the seven, I believe I’m a seven, but if 14 is the role, it is what it is—that’s what the team needs me to be.
“There are a lot of boys competing for those halves roles, we’re all just putting our heads down and pushing each other every rep, it’s a great environment to be in."
So far the only thing Ilias isn’t especially enjoying is training in the heat and humidity of south-east Queensland.
“Yeah it’s been tough, they say it’s even worse in January which I find hard to believe, but I’m sure it’s going to be worth it.”