Ask any Gold Coast Titans player and they will tell you this pre-season has been a tough one.
There has been a focus on hard work and defence that the squad has relished, but that doesn't mean they want the pre-season to go any longer.
For Titans new rake, Sam Verrills, it is a chance to finally wear the Coast colours for the first time, and the former Rooster is excited.
"I can't wait to finally put the jersey on," he said
"Obviously it is only a trial but just to be able to get some game time in and really start fresh and to get out there and play well, get the new combinations and connections with new teammates is going to be really good.
"It has been a long pre-season, a hard pre-season but to finally get to play some footy is awesome."
After a solid draw with the Broncos in the first week of the NRL Pre-Season Challenge, the Titans welcome back a host of stars for their first clash with the NRL's newest side, the Dolphins.
Headlining this list is Titans captain, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui.
2022 was a big season for Fa'asuamaleaui as he took on the captaincy duties for the first time, participated in a winning Queensland State of Origin series and victorious Australian World Cup side.
It was no surprise the Titans wanted to make sure their big man got a well-earned break before joining pre-season in January and like his new teammate Fa'asuamaleaui is excited to get back into football.
"It is going to be good to get back out playing for the Titans," he said.
"Obviously the Dolphins are the new team to the competition and it will be interesting to see how they go this year.
"It is a trial though so it is going to be good to get the cobwebs out ahead of the season starting."
Tune in and watch the Titans take on the Dolphins at Kayo Stadium from 6:05PM (Qld time) via Fox Sports or the Kayo App.
