The Gold Coast Titans will be looking to record the club's first victory over newcomers the Dolphins in the fourth installment of the 'Sunshine Showdown' at Suncorp Stadium this Sunday afternoon.
The respective club CEOs were on hand to launch the game outside the famous grounds yesterday, with both sharing light-hearted exchanges with one another, before the players let their actions do the talking on-field this weekend.
Both sides hold finals aspirations and know Sunday's game, which will double as a 'XXXX Local Derby,' is critical in that quest.
"These (derbies) are enormous games for our club and organisation," Titans CEO Steve Mitchell said.
"We are rivals with the Dolphins, without a doubt.
"This game is really important to us - we are yet to beat the Dolphins while they have been in the NRL and this is really important to us.
"We are really delighted with what we do with the 'Phins (off field) and the Sunshine Showdown, but we want to win.
"Suncorp Stadium will open up on Sunday and we are expecting a big crowd and I think both player groups are on and this is a massive event for the Coast, Brisbane and the south-east corner."
Dolphins CEO, Terry Reader was quick to remind media of what happened last time the two sides met at Suncorp Stadium.
"We have got our next installment of the Sunshine Showdown this week and last time we were here we had the biggest comeback in rugby league history ," he said
We have had golden point games and they are always close."
The Titans will need to win six or seven of their remaining games to play finals, while the Dolphins will likely need four, so both know the importance of a derby win.
"I know Des is focusing on what we do (rather than the Dolphins), Des is focused on what we do internally," Mitchell said.
"local derbies mean different things to the player group.
"When you run out in front of a big vocal crowd, it is great for the spectators, players, Members and fans and we are excited about game day."
