The Gold Coast Titans have put together yet another season well below expectations, although there were positive signs towards the back-end.

The Titans, who have been at the wrong end of the ladder for years, have renewed hope under the coaching of Josh Hannay, but will need to hit the free agency market hard from November 1.

There is plenty of talented littered throughout the Gold Coast, but also just as many questions, particularly around the future of AJ Brimson, but also their spine in general.

The forwards are where they have always looked strongest, but that itself could be in for a shake up at the end of 2027 as the Titans look to continue rebuilding and remodelling their squad.

Hannay and his recruitment staff still have time to get it right before the pressure really kicks in given what he took over from Des Hasler at the end of 2025, but it won't last for ever.

Here is the state of play for the Gold Coast ahead of the November 1 deadline.

Current 2028 squad

Jai Bilish, AJ Brimson, Jayden Campbell, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Beau Fermor, Jojo Fifita, Klese Haas, Luke Hanson, Arama Hau, Mawene Hiroti, Keano Kini, Fynn Laffranchi, Kurtis Morrin, Tyler Pereira

Off-contract at the end of 2027

Cooper Bai, Adam Christensen, Jaylan De Groot, Siale Faeamani, Max Feagai, Moeaki Fotuaika, Tony Francis, Brock Gray, Zane Harrison, Lachlan Ilias, Sunny Kama, Oliver Pascoe, Josh Patston, Chris Randall, Luke Sommerton, Jensen Taumoepeau

Current 2028 best 19

1. Keano Kini
2. Jojo Fifita
3. Tyler Pereira
4. No player signed.
5. Mawene Hiroti
6. Jayden Campbell
7. Luke Hanson
8. Tino Fa'asuamaleuai
9. Jai Bilish
10. Klese Haas
11. Beau Fermor
12. Arama Hau
13. Kurtis Morrin

Interchange
14. Fynn Laffranchi
15. No player signed.
16. No player signed.
17. No player signed.
18. No player signed.
19. No player signed.

What the Titans do have is money and spots available.

As it stands, they only have 13 players locked in, and there is a fair chance that plenty of the guys off-contract aren't re-signed as Hannay looks for a continuing rebuild of his squad.

There are some excellent juniors working through the system, led by the likes of Jai Bilish and Arama Hau who are signed for 2028 and beyond, but that will mean little if they don't surround those players with the right talent.

AJ Brimson's looming departure frees up another spot and more money, and these are the five players the Titans should be attacking to fill the numerous gaps in their squad.

Option 4: Xavier Coates (Melbourne Storm)

The Titans, as already mentioned, need strike in the outside backs, and there is no reason they can't make a play to bring Xavier Coates back to Queensland.

It has been a difficult year for Coates, who hasn't played a single game this season due to injury.

He has another year in Melbourne before his contract expires, but will likely try to get his future sorted sooner than that.

With Melbourne looking at pay cuts for many of their established stars owing to a tight salary cap, Coates could be looking for a way out.

It was always tipped PNG would provide that, but with the Chiefs signing Brian To'o and Alex Johnston, any move for Coates is now not only at long odds of happening, but wouldn't make any degree of sense.