After 16 long weeks of pre-season, the NRL season finally kicks off tonight.
Tickets: See the Titans new recruits in action at Cbus Super Stadium - Titans v Broncos
For fans of the Gold Coast, they will have to wait a few more days to see their men in action.
And, to see three new players in the blue, gold and white of the Titans for the first time in a NRL match.
Titans recruits Patrick Herbert, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and David Fifita have all been named to debut for the club this Saturday as the Titans take on the Warriors in their adopted home of the Central Coast Gosford. (Team List)
Fans have had glimpses of their new recruits over the pre-season with Fifita and Herbert featuring in the NRL All Stars, while Fa'asuamaleaui played strongly in the Titans trial against the Warriors in Lismore, in late in February.
After the All Stars, Herbert shared his enthusiasm to play with his new teammates, after five of them were on the opposite side that night.
"I am fairly keen to play with the Indigenous boys that I just played against'" Herbert said.
"We walked away as friends after the weekend and I am pretty keen to play with them now."
Fellow recruit Fa'asuamaleaui was the last to join the club for pre-season after an extended 2020 season that saw him win the NRL Premiership with the Melbourne Storm and then play a starring role in the State of Origin series for Queensland.
Upon arriving in December he spoke of his desire to land the number 13 jersey he will wear this weekend.
"Obviously it is one of my goals to try and get that number thirteen (jersey)," Fa'asuamaleaui said.
"Especially coming a bit late in the pre-season I have got to go that extra length to try and seal that spot.
"I would be excited if I did."
He now gets the chance to do just that against a big and mobile Warriors pack that is sure to provide a good test all across the park.
The last of the debutants, Dave Fifita, has travelled the shortest distance to get to the Gold Coast after moving down from local rival, the Brisbane Broncos ahead of the 2021 season.
After arriving with a knee injury the young forward has impressed coaches and training staff with his work ethic and is now in top shape to play to his potential, after an injury interrupted 2020.
Partnering with Jamal Fogarty on the right-side of the field, Warriors halves got a glimpse in the Lismore trial of what is coming their way on Saturday afternoon.
With a game now under his belt, Fifita's confidence and combinations will only continue to improve.
And, for the big backrower, his role is simple.
"I just want to play footy, that is what I love," Fifita said, ahead of his return to football for the NRL All Stars.
"I know how to play footy, I just need to showcase that and do my job for the team."
You can watch all three and their teammates in action this Saturday at 2PM (AEST)/3PM (AEDT) live on Fox League, Kayo and Sky Sports NZ.
Stay up to date with the play by play on Titans social channels.
