There is plenty of intrigue surrounding the dummy-half position at the Gold Coast Titans this season.
The club has been blessed with countless contenders who have been impressing over the break; from notable incumbent Erin Clark to new recruit Aaron Booth... the opportunities are endless for coach Justin Holbrook.
A third option also being considered is for young Tanah Boyd to take the reins with the No. 9 on his back, showing plenty of promising glimpses of his ability at hooker in his early days as a utility off the bench.
"That’s the goal," the 21-year-old said, who recently re-committed to the Titans until the end of 2024.
"I’ve been training hard and trying to transition into that role and doing my part and just trying to get better each day to cement a spot.
"I’ve had to put on a bit of weight and get used to the back-to-back efforts [training at hooker].
"There’s a lot more workload [in the new position], particularly with defence, but I’m liking it and really enjoying it and getting used to it.
"I've just got to keep going and keep getting better."
Playing a handful of games at five-eighth for the Titans early in 2021, the Keebra Park SHS alumni became a regular in the Hostplus Cup with Burleigh for the remainder of the season, continuing to develop as a player and become ready to push his case to be an NRL starter in this new season.
"Cup has been a really good level for me. I’ve learnt a lot going back and I just feel now like I’m ready for NRL," Boyd said.
"I now want to cement my spot and I feel like I’m ready to go."
"Playing Queensland Cup has really helped me develop and last year, I got a sniff at finals with the Bears.
"There’s just a good bunch of boys there at Burleigh that have helped me get ready for the challenges that NRL brings."
Getting back into the swing of things with pre-season training resuming, the Gold Coast junior said it's been a little different returning with the COVID disruptions, but that hasn't changed the vibe around the team.
"[Getting back to pre-season] has been good. Obviously, it's a bit weird at the moment, but we’re still ripping in and training has been good," Boyd said.
"We’re slowly getting numbers back, so we’ll be right and we’ve been making do with what players we have.
"It's important we do the little bits that we can and really keeping the skills up.
"Overall, it's been good and we’ve been sharp."
The Titans youngster is also looking forward to lining up against fellow rivals the Brisbane Broncos in the club's first trial match on Saturday, February 19 at Cbus Super Stadium and with tickets on sale soon exclusively to Legion members, Boyd can't wait to get back out there.
"I am really looking forward to it. It’s always a good trial up against the Broncs and I know a fair few of the boys there," Boyd said.
"It’ll be good and the boys are excited as well."
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