Key three: Courageous Titans find way to victory in injury-ravaged final half

The Titans have held on through an injury-ravaged second 40 to lasso the Cowboys with a courageous 20-18 win at Cbus Super Stadium.

Having no fit players on the interchange bench by the final siren - including the club's two best players of the match - the Gold Coast dug deep in the final 10 minutes to hold on and claim their first home win of 2024.

With players forced to play out of position with a new-look spine thrusted in for the dying stages, it was moments of brilliance in defence that kept the Cowboys from scoring the winning points - including try-saving efforts from the outside backs throughout the contest.

Here are the key talking points from the match:

Titans bench reduced to zero in weekend of carnage

The 'hamstring curse' has gained two more victims with Phil Sami and Kieran Foran sidelined to culminate a week of carnage that also claimed powerhouse stars Nathan Cleary and Tom Trbojevic to the same injury.

To rub salt into the wounds, the Titans lost AJ Brimson to a suspected groin injury in the 69th minute and Harley-Smith Shields to a shoulder complaint in the 77th minute.

Forcing the first reshuffle in the first quarter of the game when Sami left the field, the Titans were dealt another blow when Foran limped off in the 56th minute after reporting to have felt a slight twinge.

Making matters worse, Brimson tried to play through the pain after injuring himself whilst making a crucial tackle but was forced to miss the final 11 minutes before Harley Smith-Shields completed the quadrella in the dying stages.

The quartet will be sent for scans this week ahead of next Saturday's clash against the Knights as part of Magic Round - the foursome joining a growing injury tally for the 2024 season, alongside Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (knee), Jayden Campbell (knee) and Tanah Boyd (wrist).

Fifita news proves no disruption

Titans coach Des Hasler had full faith his side would shut out all the external noise from the week's decision by David Fifita and the Gold Coast did just that.

Keeping the Cowboys to nil in a 20-0 shutout at the break, the home side aimed up again the second 40 despite players succumbing to injury left, right and centre.

In an inspiring performance given the circumstances of losing both halves across the final 40 minutes, the two-point victory proved a side who wanted to play.

Fresh Fotuaika puts Origin firmly on agenda

Billy Slater will name his Game I Queensland team in just under a fortnight and right in the mix should be Moeaki Fotuaika after his strong return from concussion protocols.

Showcasing a dominant performance, Fotuaika put on 16 strong carries and reached 155 running metres, helping the Titans reach their first win at home for the 2024 season.

Rising to the late pressure put on by the Cowboys, the Titans forward left everything out on the field to secure the win - utilising his experience in the middle to get the job done.

Jaimin Jolliffe made an equally influential performance in the Titans hearty show of defence despite a game filled with injury setbacks.

Providing a much needed 36 tackles and 165 run metres, Jolliffe played a crucial role in the second half to keep the Titans in front in the drying minutes of a gutsy finish.