The cue is not in the rack for 2024 by any means, just ask Beau Fermor.
The Titans backrower says after three straight wins, the round 20 loss to Manly wasn't ideal, but it hasn't hurt the confidence of the squad who are chasing a big finish to the year.
Fermor says the mentality is to win every game you play and with seven games to go, that's the focus.
"We've still got plenty of hope," he said.
"We want to make sure we are finishing the year off really strongly with as many wins as possible.
"You never know what can happen.
"We plan on winning all of our games and you never know what can happen.
"We want to play really well for our fans and our members and if we go seven from seven then you never know."
The Titans rivals in the Sunshine Showdown this weekend, The Dolphins, have been inside the top eight for most of the season.
Fermor says that's the situation he would have preferred in 2024, but says there has been plenty of growth in this Gold Coast squad this season.
"The year hasn't panned out as we wanted it to, we wish we were in a better position where we didn't have to win every game at the end of the year," he said.
"That's where we put ourselves and the only way to get out of that is to play really consistently over the last seven weeks."
After putting himself in the frame for a State of Origin debut in 2022, Fermor missed the entire 2023 season after injuring his knee (ACL) before round one.
The 25-year-old has been able to play every game this year and says he now feels like he's back to his best.
"Coming off a big injury, like everyone, I wish I hit the ground playing like I was in 2022 and playing really confidently but that's not the way it is," he said.
"When you miss a whole year of footy it takes a little while to get back into your groove and get the confidence back in your body that you can withstand the rigors of NRL week in and week out.
"Over the last eight or nine weeks I've really felt confident and I'm not thinking about anything other than what I'm trying to do on the weekend and I'm playing instinctive footy and I think that's when I play my best."
The Dolphins hold a 3-0 record over the Titans heading into Sunday's clash at Suncorp Stadium, with Fermor keen to notch a win against his northern neighbours.
"We've got a lot to play for as well ... they're playing to keep their spot in the top eight, so both teams have a lot to play for and I'm really looking forward to it."
