The Gold Coast's starting edge forwards are the two most set positions in the top 17 for Round 1.
Beau Fermor and David Fifita will all but be there for the season opener against the Tigers in Sydney, with the duo poised to have big years as they push for Origin selection and play for Queensland - an ambition the pair both have firmly high on their agenda.
Match: Wests Tigers v Titans
Round 1 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
16th Position
away Team
Titans
2nd Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
But should the talented back-rowers be unavailable, Justin Holbrook has a selection quandary on his hands; with a number of talented options available as his disposal to come in and do a more than capable job on the edge.
Titans.com.au has identified the key players who could star in the second row this season in the latest edition of the depth discussion series.
Titans Team Picker is back for ’23! Click here to select your side for Round 1.
Jacob Alick
Age: 23 | Appearances: 0
A typical edge forward, Alick's switch to the No. 13 jersey was a revelation for the 23-year-old at the Rugby League World Cup in the United Kingdom late last year.
Whilst yet to make his NRL debut, Alick was one of the Papua New Guinea Kumuls' rising stars averaging 93 running metres and 28 tackles a game during his typical 60 minutes on field representing his family heritage.
The positional switch to lock was a change up after playing on the edge for Burleigh in the Hostplus Cup last season and his versatility could be how he pushes his way into Justin Holbrook's top 17 in 2023.
Beau Fermor
Age: 24 | Appearances: 47
Last year was Beau Fermor's breakout season in Titans colours, finishing on the cusp of Queensland Origin selection as well as starring in the Prime Minister's XIII against Papua New Guinea.
The hard-running back-rower finished 2022 as the club's highest try-scorer, finishing with 11 four-pointers on the left edge, including being the first Titans forward to score in five consecutive appearances.
The 24-year-old will likely be a guaranteed starter for Round 1 after finishing his third season with the Gold Coast averaging 117 run metres, 32 tackles and three tackle breaks a game.
David Fifita
Age: 22 | Appearances: 87
Starting his 2023 season on the right track with an admirable stint in the first trial against the Broncos - notching up 121 running metres, a line-break, two offloads and 22 tackles at 96 percent efficiency in just over 60 minutes on field.
The talented Titan had a troublesome 2022 with a knee injury, but still managed a whopping 30 offloads across the season as well as an average of four line-breaks per game.
He regained his momentum with a solid campaign in Tongan colours at the recent Rugby League World Cup and is looking forward to getting back to to his best on the right edge in 2023.
Klese Haas
Age: 20 | Appearances: 2
Haas is the Titans' good luck charm with a 100 percent success rate in his two appearances at the end of 2022. The younger brother of Broncos enforcer Payne earned his debut after impressing in the Hostplus Cup for Tweed after starting his year playing in the Hastings Deering Colts.
The 20-year-old kick-started 2023 in similar fashion to how he finished last season, racking up 26 tackles as a solid defender on the left edge for the Titans. Whilst he may not be a walk-up start in the top 17 for Round 1, but this young gun will be someone who continually pushes their case to be included at some point through the season.
Sam McIntyre
Age: 24 | Appearances: 35
Skilfully finishing 2022 filling the void at No. 9 due to an injury crisis, McIntyre spent the entire off-season with his head down on the extras paddock in order to become a regular first grader with the Titans.
Playing 13 games for the Coast last season, McIntyre showed his versatility with the ability to play on the edge or in the middle at either prop or hooker, which makes him a valuable player to have in the top 17.
Expect a big two trials from the 24-year-old to show coach Holbrook his worthiness to be included on the Round 1 trip to his old stomping ground.
Joe Stimson
Age: 27 | Appearances: 85
Joining the Titans from the Bulldogs, Stimson comes to the Coast with plenty of experience in the forward pack with the ability to play in both the front and back row.
Playing 21 games last season, the 27-year-old played a perfect role off the bench for his old club, relieving the starting pack with an average of 21 tackles at 93 percent efficiency, as well as finding the white stripe on two occasions.
The Temora junior will be keen to play a similar role with the Titans in 2023 and is set to bring up 100 games midway through the season should he become a regular in the Gold Coast outfit.
Joe Vuna
Age: 24 | Appearances: 6
Last season was a tough one for Joe Vuna, rehabbing from an ACL injury he sustained in the 2021 finals series playing for Tweed in the Hostplus Cup.
Prior to that, the back-rower has played two games for the Gold Coast and will be hoping to add to that tally after being one of the most impressive players this pre-season at Parkwood.
