While a plethora of clubs dominated headlines for the wrong reasons during the off-season, the Gold Coast Titans have prepared for 2019 free of scandal.
And the Titans' players are optimistic heading into a new campaign despite an inconsistent 2018 that saw the team finish third-last.
"I have full confidence we're going to shock a lot of people," high-profile signing Tyrone Peachey declared in December.
If Gold Coast are to shoot up the ladder next year, their defence needs to improve markedly.
They conceded more than 25 points on a whopping 13 occasions last season.
Unsurprisingly with a statistic like that, Garth Brennan's men only won back-to-back matches twice in the entire season.
But there were some glimmering rays of hope in '18 – namely the emergence of 20-year-old gun AJ Brimson.
Having burst into first grade in round 10, the former touch football star quickly made his mark as an attacking weapon as he switched between five-eighth and fullback.
Brimson is likely to start from the bench in 2019 however, with veteran Michael Gordon to play fullback and Tyrone Roberts to partner halfback Ash Taylor.
The 23-year-old Taylor ranked third in the NRL for try assists last year and was nearly rewarded for his form with a Queensland Origin berth.
No doubt he will benefit playing behind a powerful forward pack this season, headlined by former Canberra Raiders behemoth Shannon Boyd.
And of course Peachey will add strike to the backline.
At one point the NSW Blues utility admitted he wanted out of his Titans deal but he arrived on the glitter strip ready to rip and tear.
"Since I've come here and seen the boys train and the way they go about football I have full confidence we are going to shock a lot of people."
— Gold Coast Titans (@GCTitans) December 13, 2018
Tyrone Peachey is happy with his start as a Titan.
📰➡️ https://t.co/oZhY1AF9Wi #WEAREREADY pic.twitter.com/TsZ77PpoVx
GOLD COAST TITANS' PRE-SEASON NEWS
The Titans pulled off a big coup in November when they announced current Australian coach and rugby league Immortal Mal Meninga as Head of Performance and Culture.
Meninga said he won't interfere with coach Garth Brennan's duties and detailed his plan to "drive a winning environment across the entire organisation."
Later that month, the Titans announced a new chief executive – former Touch Football Australia boss Steve Mitchell.
Mitchell, who previously held roles with the North Queensland Cowboys, Melbourne Rebels (Super Rugby) and the Seven Network, spoke of a "very exciting future" for the Gold Coast club.
In an initiative from Brennan, the entire Titans NRL squad spent four days in the blue-collar workforce prior to the Christmas break.
The players were treated like regular employees and worked eight-hour shifts before returning to Gold Coast headquarters for training at night.
"To tell you the truth, I've never worked a day in my life and doing something like this makes you really appreciate what you have."
— Gold Coast Titans (@GCTitans) November 26, 2018
We caught up with Ryan James during his first day of work.
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"We started pre-season training early and it has been something I have been thinking about for a while," Brennan said at the time.
"... A lot of our players come through the grades and straight into full-time training. I want them to experience what it's like for our corporates, members and fans. What it's like to have a full day of work and then go to training, or the gym."
Four Titans – Ash Taylor, Phillip Sami, AJ Brimson and Brenko Lee – were named in the Queensland emerging Origin squad in December.
In an encouraging sign for Titans fans, Matty Johns has nominated emerging gun AJ Brimson as the next up-and-coming star.
"AJ Brimson is athletic, he's tough, he's talented and above all else he's got a great attitude," Johns told Sporting News.
"I think he's got a great future."
PRE-SEASON TRIALS
February 23 – Titans 16 lost to Cowboys 22
March 2 – Titans 22 lost to Broncos 25
GOLD COAST TITANS' 30-MAN NRL SQUAD
Ex-Penrith outside back Tyrone Peachey is among a host of strong signings for Gold Coast.
While Peachey will provide X-factor on the edges, having been training at centre, former Canberra and Australian prop Shannon Boyd is set to bring much-needed size and grunt to the middle.
Ryley Jacks makes the journey to Queensland after plying his trade with Melbourne for the past two seasons – and he certainly learnt the art of winning under Craig Bellamy, having been victorious in 20 of the 25 games he played for the Storm
Half Tyrone Roberts is back for a second stint at the Titans after spending 2018 in England with the Warrington Wolves.
Roberts was selected for the Indigenous All Stars in the pre-season game against their Maori counterparts, winning the Man of the Match as he led his side to victory.
Gold Coast also snared former Manly Sea Eagles centre Brian Kelly. The 22-year-old previously played Holden Cup for the Titans.
Rounding out the recruits is Jesse Arthars. Still only 20, Arthars played in the Intrust Super Premiership with the North Sydney Bears as a fullback and winger last year and is in line to make his first grade debut.
Fan-favourite Konrad Hurrell has departed the team to take up an offer from Leeds Rhinos in the UK Super League.
Winger Brendan Elliott and back Tyronne Roberts-Davis have moved on as well.
| Player | Date of Birth | Height, weight | Position | NRL matches | Rep honours | |
| 1 | Alexander 'AJ' Brimson | 9/9/1998 | 181cm, 89kg | Fullback/Five-eighth | 15 | Nil |
| 2 | Anthony Don | 21/9/1987 | 188cm, 100kg | Wing | 110 | Country Origin |
| 3 | Ashley Taylor | 17/3/1995 | 181cm, 91kg | Halfback | 70 | Nil |
| 4 | Brenko Lee | 10/10/1995 | 190cm, 104kg | Wing | 47 | Tonga |
| 5 | Brian Kelly | 20/5/1996 | 182cm, 92kg | Centre | 47 | Country Origin |
| 6 | Bryce Cartwright | 15/11/1994 | 193cm, 107kg | Second-row/Lock | 82 | City Origin, World All Stars |
| 7 | Dale Copley | 21/7/1991 | 184cm, 93kg | Centre | 118 | Nil |
| 8 | Jack Stockwell | 2/3/1992 | 192cm, 106kg | Prop | 79 | Nil |
| 9 | Jai Arrow | 12/7/1995 | 189cm, 101kg | Lock/Prop | 45 | Queensland |
| 10 | Jai Whitbread | 16/1/1998 | 186cm, 107kg | Prop | 1 | Nil |
| 11 | Jarrod Wallace | 23/7/1991 | 188cm, 109kg | Prop | 114 | Queensland |
| 12 | Jesse Arthurs | 8/7/1998 | 189cm, 88kg | Fullback | 0 | Nil |
| 13 | Keegan Hipgrave | 1/1/1997 | 183cm, 102kg | Lock/Prop/Second-row | 20 | Nil |
| 14 | Kevin Proctor | 29/2/1989 | 189cm, 107kg | Second-row | 218 | New Zealand, New Zealand Maori |
| 15 | Leilani Latu | 5/2/1993 | 190cm, 112kg | Prop | 55 | Tonga, Indig. All Stars, City Origin |
| 16 | Maxwell King | 4/5/1997 | 188cm, 105kg | Lock | 29 | Nil |
| 17 | Michael Gordon | 24/10/1983 | 179cm, 88kg | Fullback/Wing | 245 | NSW, Country Origin |
| 18 | Mitchell Rein | 26/4/1990 | 176cm, 88kg | Hooker | 161 | Country Origin |
| 19 | Moeaki Fotuaika | 16/11/1999 | 185cm, 107kg | Prop | 16 | – |
| 20 | Morgan Boyle | 17/7/1996 | 194cm, 111kg | Prop | 22 | Nil |
| 21 | Nathan Peats | 5/10/1990 | 181cm, 91kg | Hooker/Lock | 138 | NSW, Indig. All Stars, City Origin |
| 22 | Phillip Sami | 2/8/1997 | 186cm, 97kg | Wing | 27 | Nil |
| 23 | Ryan James (captain) | 20/7/1991 | 193cm, 106kg | Prop | 138 | Indig. All Stars, Country Origin |
| 24 | Ryley Jacks | 2/6/1992 | 185cm, 94kg | Halfback/Five-eighth | 25 | Canada |
| 25 | Shannon Boyd | 9/9/1992 | 194cm, 122kg | Prop | 111 | Australia, Country Origin |
| 26 | Treymain Spry | Not listed (age 19) | Not listed | Centre/Wing | Nil | Nil |
| 27 | Tyrone Peachey | 8/8/1993 | 183cm, 93kg | Centre/Five-eighth | 116 | NSW, Indig. All Stars, Country Origin, PMXIII |
| 28 | Tyrone Roberts | 1/7/1991 | 175cm, 98kg | Halfback/Fullback | 138 | Indig. All Stars, NSW Country |
| 29 | William Matthews | 30/3/1988 | 187cm, 98kg | Second-row | 109 | Nil |
| 30 | TBC | – | – | – | – |
COACH: Garth Brennan
Additions (players who weren't in 2018 squad): Tyrone Peachey (Penrith Panthers), Shannon Boyd (Canberra Raiders), Tyrone Roberts (Warrington Wolves), Ryley Jacks (Melbourne Storm), Jesse Arthars (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Brian Kelly (Manly Sea Eagles), Treymain Spry
Losses: Kane Elgey (Manly Sea Eagles), Brendan Elliott (Manly Sea Eagles), Konrad Hurrell (Leeds Rhinos), Joe Greenwood (Wigan Warriors), Kiah Cooper (unsigned), Ryan Simpkins (retired), Tony Matautia (unsigned), Tyronne Roberts-Davis (unsigned)
Re-signed: Dale Copley (2020), Anthony Don (2020), Keegan Hipgrave (2020), Brenko Lee (2019), Phillip Sami (2020), Jack Stockwell (2019), Jarrod Wallace (2022)
Off-contract beyond 2019: Jesse Arthars, Michael Gordon, Ryley Jacks, Maxwell King, Brenko Lee, Mitch Rein, Jack Stockwell, Jai Whitbread
Development players: Darius Farmer, Jaxson Paulo, Kupe Pere
“He is an imposing figure that will bring some much needed size to our pack."
— Gold Coast Titans (@GCTitans) May 16, 2018
Shannon Boyd will be a Titan in 2019.
📝: https://t.co/6GLoHRa32w pic.twitter.com/ADrHUdqyD6
GOLD COAST TITANS' BETTING ODDS
At $41 (via TAB as of 20/2/10), the Titans are second-last in the premiership betting market. They are yet to win a title in their 12-season history.
Ash Taylor is Gold Coast's best chance of taking out the Dally M Medal according to bookies, with the playmaker priced at $34.
He is followed by representative forward Jai Arrow ($67).
The club are $10 to finish in the top four, $3 to make the top eight and $7.50 to suffer the most losses.
GOLD COAST TITANS' 2019 DRAW
Games played on
Thursday: 1
Friday: 7
Saturday: 8
Sunday: Eight
Teams they play twice
Sharks, Warriors, Panthers, Knights, Cowboys, Sea Eagles, Broncos, Storm, Dragons
| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue |
| 1 | Sunday 17 March 6:10pm | Canberra Raiders | Cbus Super Stadium |
| 2 | Saturday 23 March 3:00pm | Cronulla Sharks | Shark Park |
| 3 | Sunday 31 March 6:10pm | South Sydney Rabbitohs | ANZ Stadium |
| 4 | Friday 5 April 6:00pm | New Zealand Warriors | Mt Smart Stadium |
| 5 | Friday 12 April 6:00pm | Penrith Panthers | Cbus Super Stadium |
| 6 | Sunday 21 April 2:00pm | Newcastle Knights | Cbus Super Stadium |
| 7 | Saturday 27 April 5:30pm | Wests Tigers | Scully Park |
| 8 | Friday 3 May 6:00pm | North Queensland Cowboys | 1300SMILES Stadium |
| 9 | Thursday 9 May 7:50pm | Cronulla Sharks | Suncorp Stadium |
| 10 | Saturday 18 May 3:00pm | Canterbury Bulldogs | Cbus Super Stadium |
| 11 | Friday 24 May 6:00pm | Manly Sea Eagles | Lottoland |
| 12 | Sunday 2 June 4:05pm | North Queensland Cowboys | Cbus Super Stadium |
| 13 | Sunday 9 June 2:00pm | Brisbane Broncos | Suncorp Stadium |
| 14 | Friday 14 June 6:00pm | New Zealand Warriors | Cbus Super Stadium |
| 15 | Saturday 29 June 3:00pm | Manly Sea Eagles | Cbus Super Stadium |
| 16 | BYE | – | – |
| 17 | Friday 12 July 6:00pm | Penrith Panthers | Panthers Stadium |
| 18 | Sunday 21 July 2:00pm | Melbourne Storm | Cbus Super Stadium |
| 19 | Saturday 27 July 5:30pm | Brisbane Broncos | Cbus Super Stadium |
| 20 | Sunday 4 August 2:00pm | Sydney Roosters | Sydney Cricket Ground |
| 21 | Saturday 10 August 3:00pm | St George Illawarra Dragons | Jubilee Stadium |
| 22 | Friday 16 August 6:00pm | Parramatta Eels | Cbus Super Stadium |
| 23 | Sunday 25 August 2:00pm | Melbourne Storm | AAMI Park |
| 24 | Saturday 31 August 3:00pm | Newcastle Knights | McDonald Jones Stadium |
| 25 | Saturday 7 September 7:35pm | St George Illawarra Dragons | Cbus Super Stadium |
It's a big year for...
Bryce Cartwright.
It seems an eternity ago that Bryce Cartwright was banging down the door for NSW Origin selection.
Cartwright produced a subpar 2018 – his first year at the Titans – in which his defence was pilloried and he was dropped to reserve grade.
There's no denying that Cartwright is a special player when he's at his peak. Anyone who is over 100kg and possesses the deft ball skills of Cartwright is a rare threat.
By all reports, the 24-year-old has trained the house down during the pre-season and is in prime physical shape to return to top form.
If Cartwright fires, the Titans will be a much more dangerous team.
But another disappointing year will be catastrophic for Cartwright's career on the Gold Coast, given there have already been numerous reports of the Titans trying to offload the wayward star.
MEMBERSHIP AND TICKETING
As of 16 February, the Titans had 5,466 members.
Membership packages can be viewed here.
General tickets for the season are available here.
