Des Hasler will have his work cut out for him when it comes time to pick his Round 1 team... especially when the Gold Coast forward pack is determined.
Boasting some of the best middle forwards in the game, the selection nightmare that awaits the 458-game mentor will be one that could deliver a splitting headache given the immense talent the Titans have at their disposal.
With International props Moeaki Fotuaika and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui having been more than reliable starters in the past season, the engine room is about to be strengthened even further with the addition of Broncos enforcer Keenan Palasia to the fold in 2024.
Match: Titans v Dragons
Round 1 -
home Team
Titans
15th Position
away Team
Dragons
2nd Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
But not shying away from the fight for spots that is about to unfold is Jaimin Jolliffe, who is hoping to bounce back from a tough 2023 season riddled with injury - the 69-gamer relishing the healthy battle among some of the game's leading middles.
"I think we've got one of the best forward packs," he said.
"With blokes like Moey and Tino... and then we've got Keenan coming as well, it's a really good competitive environment in the middle and it's going to be tough locking down a spot for sure.
"We've got a big squad and there's plenty of competition for spots. At the moment, everyone is just fighting for spots in the 17 and there's a lot of learning as well.
"The big thing is just keeping everyone on the paddock and having everyone fit, strong and stringing games together, allowing us to build combinations through the middle.
"I think we've got a great side in general, so if we have a good pre-season and stay injury free, we'll go a long way."
'He's got a clear plan for the team': Jolliffe
The dreaded 'I' word is something the 27-year-old knows all too well from his fourth year of NRL; rupturing his pec on the eve of Round 2 before again being sidelined after Round 19 with a fractured hand.
But he has accepted that it's all part of the game, hoping for a more healthier season ahead after only getting nine games following a blistering pre-season.
"Hopefully I just don't get injured," Jolliffe joked when asked by media about his plan to play more games in 2024.
"There's not much you can do... injuries happen in footy. I'm all strapped up right now.
"I've got a rehab program and I'll stick to that, but touch wood it doesn't happen this upcoming season and I can stay on the park a bit more."
Returning to Parkwood healthy after his spate of injuries, the Gold Coast forward has revealed his body may have taken a little bit of adjusting back to training, but he is excited to be under new coach Hasler.
"It’s the second week for a few of us senior boys, so the body feels great… it was probably a different story over the weekend. I was feeling a little sore after the first week, but I’m feeling good now and everyone is training well," Jolliffe said.
"[Being coached by Des] is definitely been a bit of a change up… he’s very softly spoken but he’s very intense and he’s got a clear plan for the team.
"He’s got us all working hard and keeping us accountable so I’m really enjoying it."
Jolliffe is also adapting to life as a father, proud to welcome his first daughter Charlotte into the world with partner Tia at the start of November.
"My little bub turned up one week overdue... a week before pre-season, so I'm not getting a whole lot of sleep, but my partner is doing amazing and looking after me and letting me get some sleep so I can come here and train hard," he said.
"I'm loving life at the moment."
