Seven heaven: Titans halves battle heats up

The emergence of Tanah Boyd as a very capable chief linchpin at the backend of 2022 and the arrival of Kieran Foran to Parkwood for the new season has thrown a few very healthy curveballs for the Titans mentor - who has revealed he is no closer to identifying who will steer the side in tandem - but he is certainly not disappointed about being in the position he is in.

"We need [the depth of quality playmakers]," Holbrook said.

"The well established sides usually know who their seven, six and one are and good luck to them. We're not in that position, but at least we know that we've got good competition for spots and those players will have to earn their spot."

Joining Foran and Boyd in the 'battle' is AJ Brimson and Toby Sexton, with the young No. 7 being one of the first to return to Titans HQ at the beginning of November in an attempt to impress.

Finishing his first full season finessing his craft for the Tweed Seagulls, the 21-year-old admits his short stint back in Hostplus Cup was the best thing for him as he prepares to give it all he's got to get back into first grade.

"Looking at it now, I think it was the best thing for me," Sexton revealed.

"[2022] was obviously a massive year and I took a lot out of it, but at the same time, it was pretty tough. Being able to go back to Q Cup where there wasn't that pressure to perform every week and I could just go back to playing footy and enjoying what I do was really nice.

"I don't think I necessarily lost my confidence [at NRL level] but I lost that enjoyment of playing footy. I went back to Tweed and won a few games and just enjoyed my footy and that's probably the biggest thing I took out of that stint."

The healthy competition for spots in something Sexton feels will only strengthen him and his fellow playmakers to continue working hard.

"I think one of our problems last year was that we had our spots cemented before Round 1 but this year, every spot is up for grabs," he said.

"It gets the best out every player and that's what we need at this club.

"Obviously, last year was a tough year and we want to be better than last year and that's definitely going to drive that."

Boyd was the last player to touch a football for the Titans in 2022 - slotting a heroic field goal in torrential conditions in New Zealand to win a golden-point thriller against the Warriors.

Starting the year as a versatile utility of the bench, the 22-year-old shifted back to his familiar halfback role in Round 21 and continued to grow and grow as a viable and capable option moving forward.

"I didn’t want it to stop. Towards the end of the year, I thought I was getting better and better and that’s allowed me to take in plenty of confidence into the pre-season," Boyd said.

"I feel I’ve got a good backing from the boys and the staff, so I want to keep building and get better.

"My main focus is now at half and I just want to keep getting better there and focus on that and we’ll see what happens."

Putting all his energy into hoping to securing the No. 7 jersey for Round 1, that is the position that Boyd feels he excels at best.

"All my discussions (with the coaching staff) has been about playing in the halves and that’s been my discussions as well. I want to focus on that and nail that role and get better at that," he said.

"That’s where I feel most comfortable and feel like I can play my best footy."

Knowing the quality of talent local junior AJ Brimson is, it's expected he will be in the mix somewhere in the back five - which leaves the final piece of the puzzle being the most experienced member in the Titans playing squad - a man who has played over 250 games, won a premiership and represented his country as one of the game's accomplished playmakers.

Joining the Coast for at least the next two seasons, Foran is excited to help develop the next generation of playmakers coming through the ranks and will more than likely play a crucial role in Holbrook's top 17.

“I can’t wait to mentor their younger halves. I got in and met Toby Sexton, Tanah Boyd and AJ and they are absolutely lovely young fellas," Foran said to The Courier Mail.

“You can see they are switched on with their rugby league and highly driven to improve their games.

“That’s what excites me most, just seeing the determination of those guys to bounce back after last season. It’s my duty to nurture those guys where I can and pass on the experience and wisdom I’ve had in my career.

“I want to be an even better player for the Titans than I was for Manly this season and if I do that, hopefully I am giving something to the Gold Coast as a leader and mentor.”

The next three months is set to be an exciting period with plenty of healthy competition for two of the most coveted spots in the Titans team.

Who do you think will play in the halves in 2023?