Ask Brian Kelly to describe the coach and you immediately get a sense of the endearment that's built between the two.
"Uncle Justin is a good man," Kelly said on SEN's Drive with Joel and Fletch.
"It's my second year under Justin and I also played junior Kangaroos under him.
"He's a good bloke and he is getting the best out of me."
The 24-year-old is entering his third season on the Gold Coast and is coming off a breakout year that saw him claim the Paul Broughton Medal.
After growing up in Ballina, he told Joel and Fletch about a journey that's seen him sign on to remain a Titan long term.
"I moved out of Ballina," Kelly said.
"I played a couple of years of junior rugby league up here in the Gold Coast Titans under 20's system and then I got the call to go down (to the Manly Sea Eagles).
"Tt was around when (Steve) Matai and Jamie Lyon finished up.
"I slotted in there for two years and I enjoyed my experience at Brooky.
"I got the opportunity to come back to the Gold Coast and I'm signed up here for a couple more years."
Kelly says there is a good feeling amongst the squad, with competition for spots driving the team on the training paddock.
"We finished off the season pretty well and we've recruited pretty well this year with our forward pack," he said.
"There is a bit more depth there and we will see how we go this year."
The Titans will open the 2021 NRL season with an away trip to the Central Coast to play the New Zealand Warriors, before returning to Cbus Super Stadium for a blockbuster round two clash against the Brisbane Broncos.
