GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Jai Whitbread and Kevin Proctor of the Titans celebrate victory during the round 20 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Newcastle Knights at Cbus Super Stadium on September 25, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
Ins
Herman Ese'ese (Newcastle Knights, 2022), Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Melbourne Storm, 2023), David Fifita (Brisbane Broncos, 2023), Sosefo Fifita (2023), Patrick Herbert (New Zealand Warriors, 2021), Sam McIntyre (Wests Tigers, 2021)
Outs
Jai Arrow (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Shannon Boyd (retired), Bryce Cartwright (Parramatta Eels), Dale Copley (Brisbane Broncos), Keegan Hipgrave (Parramatta Eels), Ryan James (Canberra Raiders), Nathan Peats (released), Kallum Watkins (released)
2020 was the start of a rebuild for the Gold Coast Titans, with Justin Holbrook's appointment completely changing the outlook of the once struggling club.
Jamal Fogerty's inclusion not only sparked the side but completely unlocked Ash Taylor's game. For years the Titans have been sweating on Taylor realising his undoubted potential. We saw more than a glimpse thanks to Holbrook, Fogarty and a shift to second receiver.
AJ Brimson ended the season as the form player of the competition after a late charge that had to be seen to be believed. If the Titans were two wins closer when he returned, they'd have been causing an issue for anyone in the finals.
Although they missed the finals, if the season were two weeks longer they're there. Hopefully they can hit the ground running in 2021 and continue to build on the brilliant foundation laid last year.
Earlier in the week I mentioned that the Bulldogs were the most aggressive, and successful in their recruiting ahead of the 2021 season. If they aren't, it's certainly the Titans, who were able to pull off the recruitment coup of 2020.
David Fifita's signing from traditional "big brother" the Broncos was massive in shaping the future of both clubs. The Titans now have a weapon forward with a big profile whilst delivering a shot to their most bitter of rivals. Perfect signing!
For mine though it is Tino Fa'asuamaleaui who will break through to become a major superstar this season. He was borderline uncontainable at times at the Storm. Given a larger role at the Titans will see him become an absolute monster.
Herman Ese'ese will likely see big minutes after his shift. Sam McIntyre is a clever depth signing while Patrick Herbert could potentially step right into a centre position early on.
The Titans have recruited very well around their established stars. Losing Jai Arrow was unfortunate, while Ryan James is also a big loss. That said, they're replaced them with more dynamic, younger options and look a far better side moving forward.
See Zero Tackle's own Dan Nichols over at Rugby League Outlaws
Don't over rely on Fifita/Tino: We've seen it in the past where a side has landed a marquee recruit yet has faltered the season after. There's no guarantee that either of the Queensland Origin representative signings will set the world alight on the Gold Coast. They can't rely on their back row duo for everything.
They will play their part but the rest of the squad need to do theirs too. Sounds painfully obvious but the Titans signed Jarryd Hayne and the gameplan shifted to become all about the incoming star. Surely they learned from that.
Can Brimson go again?: Aj Brimson returned in Dally M form at the back end of 2020. Only a late Toby Rudolf try for the Sharks against the Warriors ended the hopes that Brimson brought to the Titans.
He earned an Origin jersey on the back of his red hot form and was fantastic on debut. Will injury and the off-season bring a halt to his incredible momentum and form? I hope not. For the sake of the Titans anyways. If he returns the player he was in the final rounds last year, watch out!
Expectation: For the first time, in honestly as long as I can remember, the Titans are playing under the weight of expectation.
They're expected to make the finals this year. That brings with it a pressure they haven't had in many seasons. This is a young side with a relative rookie coach. Pressure and expectation can do weird things to teams.
It's easy enough to go out and spring an upset every now and then but now they're expected to win more games, how will they cope?
7th
2021 is the season the Titans return to finals footy. I'm so confident in this prediction. Just look at the inclusions and the starting line up. Start planning now Titans fans.
Of course all the early talk will surround Fifita and Tino, but the names Brimson, Kelly and Taylor are the three I simply cannot wait to see go round this year.
Justin Holbrook has turned the club around during his short tenure. Now is the time to enjoy the rewards. I just hope they don't expect success to come with two big name signings, as there is still a lot of work to be done.
If Kelly can continue to improve as he did last year, and Brimson and Fogarty can back up with similar form, then there's no reason we're not looking at a top eight side.
They're still a quality nine and genuine strike centre away from mixing it with the top four or five, however I'm not expecting their seventh place finish to be confirmed on the final day either.
Probably the side I'm most looking forward to watching in 2021.