By Wayne Heming AAP Sat, Jun 02, 2012 - 2:11 PM

Every good team has one and Gold Coast coach John Cartwright believes his NRL side is building a spine that will make them tough to beat at the back end of the season.

The emergence of impressive young five-eighth Aidan Sezer stood out for the Titans in their 28-12 upset of North Queensland at Skilled Park on Friday night with Cartwright acknowledging the importance of the Canterbury cast-off to his side's future.

In the presence of five-eighth greatness of Wally Lewis and Darren Lockyer who were commentating on the clash, Sezer stepped up against a world class act in Johnathan Thurston and did himself proud.

The time he created with the ball would have impressed Lewis, while his passing and kicking display drew praise from Lockyer.

But it was Cartwright who heaped the accolades on 21 year-old after he combined beautifully with halfback Scott Prince and hooker Matt Srama against the Cowboy's dangerous spine of Ray Thompson, Thurston and Matt Bowen.

Sezer's game stats didn't reflect the role he played in the win after being smashed by Cowboys forward Cory Paterson at one stage.

"He's a tough kid. Him and Scott (Prince) and Matty (Srama) are starting to do things together with just a nod of the head," said Cartwright.

"Tonight was probably as crisp as they've been with the ball and I thought we really tested the defence of a side I rate very highly."

Cartwright said also that skipper Scott Prince had put the "fun" back in his game.

"He looks like he's really enjoying himself and that's the key, enjoying yourself at training, enjoying yourself with the group and winning games," said Cartwright.

"Our halves hooker and fullback have been really hard to handle the last three weeks."

Prince, who was doing it tough early in the season, always knew things would turn around.

"There were some dark days, but we've moved on now," he said

"It builds character and we appreciate the good times.

"We (team) have got the confidence and self belief back but we've worked very hard for it."

Cartwright described the victory as one of his side's most courageous with the Titans surviving an amazing opening 10 minute onslaught which included losing forward leader Luke Bailey to a rib injury.

Bailey was taken to hospital with the Titans confirming on Saturday the prop has rib cartilage damage and will miss at least four weeks.

Meanwhile the Cowboys will have an ankle injury which forced hooker James Segeyaro from the field investigated once they arrive back in Townsville on Saturday.