Arguably the two most influential positions on the field, a big decision awaits as to who will be the two key playmakers for the Titans come Round 1.
With Justin Holbrook confirming Kieran Foran will more than likely come straight in for the season opener against the Tigers, it leaves a burning question on who will partner the experienced veteran in his 15th season playing the NRL.
Tanah Boyd may be the front runner for the crucial jersey but there is a number of options the Titans coach could opt to choose in order to start 2023 with a bang; setting up an intriguing next few weeks with two trials set to be the final shootout to claim the No. 7 jersey.
Titans.com.au has identified the key players who could star in the halves this season.
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AJ Brimson
Age: 24 | Appearances: 85
Adding a chink to his armour in 2022 by making the successful switch to five-eighth, Brimson is a perfect player to have in the Titans squad with his ability to play in the halves or at fullback.
The 24-year-old made his Origin debut in 2020 wearing the No. 1 jersey after setting the COVID-affected year alight since returning from a back injury - scoring seven tries and breaking 30 tackles in only nine games for the Titans. This stellar form line continued the following season at the back, again scoring seven tries and averaging 160 run metres per game.
His switch to a playmaking role in 2022 was just as successful as his previous two years; finishing the regular season in the NRL's top 10 for try assists and crossing the line on nine occasions, which gives Holbrook the option to return the Gold Coast junior to his former position or anoint him as the Titans' No. 6 in 2023.
Kieran Foran
Age: 32 | Appearances: 262
The ultimate professional, Foran will bring over 300 top grade performances to the Titans in the NRL and at International level, including a premiership in which he was pivotal to securing in 2011 with the Manly Sea Eagles.
Still with plenty of good years left in his body, the talented half played every game of last season and only missed two games of 2021, proving he has overcome an unlucky run of injuries that has crippled his career in the past.
The Kiwi linchpin will also bring much-welcomed experience to help steady the ship in big moments and will be a prime right hand man to Tino Fa'asuamaleaui's leadership on and off the field.
Foz and Tino entertain at pre-season training
Paul Turner
Age: 22 | Appearances: 10
The talented youngster will hope to add some more feathers to his cap in 2023 after a tough start to his fledgling career due to injury.
Joining the Titans in 2022 after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury early in 2021, it was an incredible 422 days between games for the exciting New Zealand star, who got seven opportunity in Gold Coast colours last year, with high hopes of building on that this season.
Traditionally a five-eighth, the 22-year-old has the ability to also play in the outside backs, proving to be a versatile player for Justin Holbrook to have in his 17, particularly on the bench.
Tanah Boyd
Age: 22 | Appearances: 39
The Gold Coast's incumbent No. 7 had a strong finish to last season, helping win three of the club's four remaining games of the season and is currently the frontrunner to retain the coveted halfback spot for the season opener in just over a month.
Spending a majority of 2022 as a bench utility playing a consistent amount of dummy-half, his switch back to the halves was a winner with the 22-year-old able to extract plenty from his time in the middle. His final play of last season was a match-winner, kicking the winning field goal against the Warriors in golden-point to seal victory.
Likely to play on the right edge alongside his long-time teammate David Fifita, Boyd will hope to add to his seven try assists with a damaging combination that was a threat when the duo played together for both Souths Logan Magpies and Keebra Park growing up.
Golden-point thriller: Through the eyes of the Titans
Toby Sexton
Age: 21 | Appearances: 23
Experiencing a baptism of fire in his first full year of NRL, Sexton finished the season with the Tweed Seagulls with full determination to soak in as much as he can in order to return to the top level; helping his Hostplus Cup side get within millimetres of reaching their second consecutive preliminary final.
His approach to what has undeniably been a tough year is nothing short of inspirational, with the extremely mature 21-year-old full focussed on regaining the No. 7 jersey that he started 2022 with, and has been a standout at Parkwood this pre-season as one of the club's fittest and most impressive over the summer months.
His deft kicking game is definitely a skill that taunted the opposition week-after-week and will be something that will continue to infiltrate teams when he returns to the NRL, leading the competition for forced drop-outs during his time in action for the Titans.
Tom Weaver
Age: 19 | Appearances: 0
A young and upcoming half coming through the grades, Weaver is a proud product of the Titans' pathways system and has already shared in plenty of success early in his career.
This has included steering Palm Beach Currumbin to victory in the Phil Hall Cup final as the best school side in Queensland, as well as playing an important role alongside Jonah Pezet in the 2022 Under 19 State of Origin clash for New South Wales.
Debuting in the Hostplus Cup last season, the 19-year-old has graduated to the Coast's top 30 roster, which makes him eligible to be selected from Round 1, and whilst he may be an outside to be considered early on, the Cudgen junior won't be too far from an NRL debut in the near distant future.
