There's no doubt there will be plenty of support for Brian Kelly in the grandstands this weekend.
Born in Lismore and growing up around Ballina, the Round 15 clash against the Sharks will be sort of a home game for the Titans outside back, with many friends and family members making the short two hour trip down the highway to get behind their man.
There were even reports earlier this week Coffs Harbour may have been trying to claim the 26-year-old, but even though he is proudly from the Northern Rivers, there have been countless requests to see the speedster in action.
"They try to claim everyone that's from around that area," Kelly joked.
"I'm a Ballina boy, but I've definitely got plenty of mob down there and I've had the ticket requests racked up a fair bit on my messages on my phone.
"I've got a few mob to hand out some tickets to and catch up. I'm looking forward to getting to Coffs, which is not too far from Ballina... it'll be good."
Match: Sharks v Titans
Round 15 -
home Team
Sharks
4th Position
away Team
Titans
15th Position
Venue: C.ex Coffs International Stadium, Coffs Harbour
Feeling his game has been a little off this year, the former Ballina Seagulls junior is hoping this weekend will be a kick-starter to turning around his performances in readiness for a strong back-end of the year.
"If feel I need a step up my game, so I just want to do my job and play better to get that win," Kelly said.
"I feel my [defence] isn't too bad. But I just feel like I'm missing my strike and attack, so I just have to pick that up."
It has been tough for the Gold Coast left centre, with the wing position outside of him being a revolving door due to injury.
Beginning the year with Phil Sami - the combination that trained together all pre-season - a number of knee concerns to the flyer has seen Corey Thompson and now Greg Marzhew in that position, which Kelly is enjoying having the metre-eating excitement machine back outside of him.
'It's not where we want to be' - Kelly
"I've had a few wingers, but it's good to have Greggy back there back-to-back and he takes plenty of the carries for me, soIt helps me out," Kelly said.
"We were just working on building our combos into defence out there on Thursday and we've just got to keep building on it and become stronger."
Slipping to 16th on the NRL ladder through the week, it has been a tough opening half of the season, but the 119-game star is hoping the team's hard work can help turn things around.
"It's definitely mentally draining [the outside noise]. It's not obviously where we want to be and where we expect to be, but that's rugby league and there's a loser," Kelly said.
"We're in that position. The only way to turn it around is to work hard, train hard and do it together out there on the weekend."
