2019 Squad, Signings and Rumours Thread

[DIEHARD]

Gold Coast Titans move to secure AJ Brimson’s future
https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/

Gold Coast coach Garth Brennan has outlined plans to lock-up dynamic youngster AJ Brimson to a long-term deal with the Titans.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the Titans will move to secure last year’s Dally M rookie-of-the-year nominee to a contract extension this season before he hits the open market.

Brimson, 20, was a revelation in his debut NRL season for the Titans last year, playing 15 games to announce himself as a star of the future.

The Gold Coast product is contracted to the Titans until the end of the 2020 season, meaning he cannot be formally poached by a rival club before November this year.

But Brennan is determined to secure Brimson to a new deal which would see him form a mouth-watering scrumbase alliance with $1 million-a-season halfback Ash Taylor.

Brennan said the Titans wanted to re-sign Brimson before he could be poached.

“He is a Gold Coast kid and loves the place,” Brennan said.

“He is very settled on the coast and his mum is not real keen on AJ moving away from home.

“We gave him a crack when a lot of clubs weren’t giving him a crack. He feels a bit of loyalty to the club.

“He is very much part of our plans in the future.

“He is a level-headed kid. He understands this is home for him and it means that little bit more to him playing here in front of his family and friends.

“There won’t be too many concerns about him heading anywhere else. The club will be determined to ensure he stays at the Titans for the long-term.”

Brimson, whose given name is Alexander, is on the mend from a shoulder reconstruction but is expected to be fit for the Gold Coast’s season-opener against Canberra on March 17 at Cbus Super Stadium.

He could feature in one of the Titans’ upcoming trials, however Brennan is reluctant to rush him into the starting side given the severity of his surgery.

While Brimson’s short-term future is at five-eighth before a proposed move to fullback, Brennan said an interchange position was on the cards to usher him back into the NRL.

“He’s still not doing full contact yet and we’re in February, so I’m not going to rush him,” he said.

“I didn’t rush him last year despite getting hammered for playing Bryce (Cartwright) at six.

“I’ll do the same this year. I’m not going to be bullied into picking him, he needs to be ready before I throw him in.

“If it means easing him in off the bench then that’s an option I have up my sleeve as well.

“He is only 21, coming off a shoulder reconstruction and it’s a long season. I don’t want to rush the kid.

“Imagine bringing AJ on to the field 25 minutes into a game when the forwards are starting to get a bit tired.

“That’s something I’m tinkering with for early in the year. That’s not saying he will be a bench player for the whole season, but you can ease him in and take a bit of heat off him.”

Brimson’s proposed interchange role means Tyrone Roberts is favoured to wear the Gold Coast’s No.6 jersey in Round 1 after returning to the club from Warrington.

Storm recruit Ryley Jacks has suffered a setback after hyper-extending his elbow in training.

[DIEHARD]

Trial by desire for Gold Coast's comeback King
Tony Webeck NRL.com reporter
https://www.titans.com.au/news/2019/...comeback-king/

Don’t tell Max King it’s "just a trial".

Sidelined since June after undergoing his fourth shoulder surgery at just 21 years of age, King is champing at the bit to put his reconstructed shoulder to the test against a Cowboys pack rippling with representative stars.

With Cyclone Oma lurking off the coastline, Gold Coast and North Queensland will meet for their first outings of 2019 at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

It has been 260 days since King played the last of his 12 games in 2018. Up until that point he had been an "automatic selection" according to coach Garth Brennan but now he is fighting for a spot in the top 17 for round one.

The recruitment of Kangaroos representative Shannon Boyd has added considerable depth to the Titans’ middle rotation but King gets to press his claims via one of the NRL’s toughest assignments.

A hooker as a junior, King will start at lock on Saturday, his opposition number the NRL’s most damaging runner through the middle third of the field, Cowboys wrecking ball Jason Taumalolo.

“Usually I’m pretty sweet with it. I’m probably on the other side of that where I’m a bit too reckless with coming back early,” King said of returning from his fourth bout of major shoulder surgery in the space of five years.

“I probably need to settle things down with where I’m at with rehab and what-not.

“Once the specialist and our physio gave me the green light I was fine, I’ve got full confidence in them. They’ve given me a shoulder brace but I’m fine and mentally, happy to rip in.

“First game of the year, there’s always a bit of nerves there and I suppose there will be some added pressure there but Brenno is clear in what he wants and that’s to play well defensively, keep control of the ball and compete.”

Cowboys prop Matt Scott will also make his return after undergoing surgery on his neck for a second time and will pack down alongside fellow Kangaroos prop Jordan McLean, Taumalolo and Ethan Lowe in the starting side with Scott Bolton, Corey Jensen and Francis Molo waiting on the bench.

The strength of the Cowboys’ pack made them premiership favourites this time last year and provides the perfect first-up assignment for Titans players such as King, Jack Stockwell and Bryce Cartwright to impress.

“It’s a great challenge for them. That’s the benchmark right there for our front-rowers to step up and challenge themselves individually,” said halfback Tyrone Roberts, who will captain the Titans on Saturday.

“We want to be known for our defence this year and not our attack so it’s a good stepping stone.”

For King, it finally represents the end to seven months on the sidelines.

“I’ve had an extended pre-season because it started in June so I’ve been looking forward to getting back on the football field since then,” he said.

“This weekend I’ll finally get to do that. The club’s definitely on the way up and there’s not a position in the team that’s secure yet.”

Darius Farmer and Jaxson Paulo get their first opportunities in the top grade after signing development contracts while former Warriors NRL player John Palavi, Jacob Hind and Christian Hazard are pushing for upgrades to their train-and-trial deals.

The Cowboys v Titans clash kicks off at 5pm (6pm AEDT) and will be live-streamed through NRL.com and the Titans and Cowboys websites.

[Dooldog76]

I hate to admit it but Roberts looked pretty sharp today. Darius farmer is a behemoth.

[DIEHARD]

Pressure mounting on cult hero
Tony Webeck NRL.com reporter
https://www.nrl.com/

A fit and firing Brenko Lee is piling the pressure on Titans cult hero Anthony Don to retain his place on Gold Coast's right wing when they commence their season against the Raiders on March 17.

Lee was one of the Titans' strongest contributors playing at left centre in their 22-16 trial loss to the Cowboys on Saturday while Don had a number of effective carries on a torturous night for players under the high ball.

New recruit Tyrone Peachey will wear Titans colours for the first time in this Saturday's trial against the Broncos at Cbus Super Stadium and with Brian Kelly displaying his class against North Queensland the wing spots are among the most contentious.

Needing just one more try to surpass David Mead as the Titans' all-time leading try-scorer, Don has been the club's leading try-scorer in four of the past five years and is coming off an injury-free pre-season.

A classical, long-striding winger, Don's one failing is in generating momentum early in sets from deep in his side's half, an area in which Lee excels.

The 23-year-old has played the bulk of his 47 matches at centre but has scored nine tries in 10 games on the wing, and is ready to throw down the challenge to fan-favourite Don for a spot in the starting side.

"I felt good personally," Lee said following the first hit-out of 2019.

"I'll play anywhere on the footy field. To be in the 17 is a blessing to me personally.

"I don't care if I play in the forwards or in the backs, I'll put my hand up to play anywhere.

"I'm team-first and if I'm being seen as a winger at the moment I'll take that."

Powerhouse Phillip Sami is considered a lock for the left wing with experienced first-grader Dale Copley and former Rabbitoh Jesse Arthars also vying for spots in the three-quarter line for round one.

And the competition amongst the outside backs could soon get even tougher with Ipswich State High product and former Queensland under-18 representative Treymain Spry on the verge of being offered a full-time contract.

Coach Garth Brennan was particularly impressed by the work of Lee against the Cowboys and knows he is facing some difficult decisions leading up to the start of the season proper.

"Brenko Lee had some really good touches," Brennan said post-game.

"He's strong and he's fit at the moment. You can see when Brenko carries the ball that he's strong and got great footwork and went looking for work.

"Phil Sami and Don were good and we've still got some guys that didn't play that can come into the equation.

"It's a good headache to have."

As he fights for his own position within the team, Lee spoke highly of the impact Spry and the other young members of the squad had in the second half on Saturday.

"I thought Tremaine did awesome, all our outside backs did awesome," said the former Raider and Bulldog.

"Garth was massive on us running hard and tackling hard, that's what he wanted. He didn't care about the scoreboard, whether we got flogged or won by heaps. He just wanted us to run hard and tackle hard and I thought we did that well.

"Even the younger boys that came on in the later minutes, I thought they ran hard and tackled hard so I'm very happy for them."

[ja4220]

https://outline.com/74CcXYRevealed: Which ISC club Titans will play for
FEBRUARY 26, 2019
THE Gold Coast’s two Intrust Super Cup clubs could be blessed with an abundance of NRL quality players as benefits of the Titans’ improved depth filter through the city’s football community.

The Bulletin can reveal where Titans players will be affiliated, with Burleigh’s outside backs to be significantly bolstered and Tweed winning out in the halves and forwards departments (see full lists below).

With the likes of Kurtis Rowe, Sami Sauiluma, Troy Leo and Tyronne Roberts-Davis already in their ranks, Bears coach Jimmy Lenihan will have some selection dilemmas to ponder over.

“It’s a nice headache to have, having too many quality players to try to fit into a side of 17,” Lenihan said.


Brenko Lee will play for Burleigh if he is unable to win an NRL spot at the Titans. Picture: SMP Images
“As we see in every year of Queensland Cup, you need so much quality depth to give yourself a good run because there is no doubt injuries are going to play a part in the year, in the Titans and in our grades.

“The Titans themselves have a few selection headaches in the outside backs so we really don’t know who we could potentially have back.

“No matter who comes back, we’re going to have some quality players from the Titans coming back for us.”

Woolf is equally uncertain about how the Titans will take the field in Round 1 and how that in turn will affect his line-up.


Bryce Cartwright spent some time in Tweed Heads colours last year. Picture: SMP Images
Coming off a trial win over Burleigh, Woolf believes in his own squad’s depth and that will only be helped by an influx of Titans that could foreseeably include Ryley Jacks, Mitch Rein and multiple fringe forwards to start the year.

“That puts us in a good position now if we have got injuries during the year or the Titans have injuries during the year and we have to call upon those guys, we have good (back-up) guys in those positions who can do a job,” he said.

Burleigh: Jesse Arthars, Morgan Boyle, Dale Copley, Anthony Don, Darius Farmer, Brian Kelly, Brenko Lee, Jaxson Paulo, Kevin Proctor, Phillip Sami, Jack Stockwell, Jai Whitbread.

Tweed: Shannon Boyd, AJ Brimson, Bryce Cartwright, Moeaki Fotuaika, Michael Gordon, Keegan Hipgrave, Ryley Jacks, Max King, Leilani Latu, Will Matthews, Nathan Peats, Kea Pere, Mitch Rein, Tyrone Roberts, Jarrod Wallace.

Not allocated: Jai Arrow, Ryan James, Tyrone Peachey, Ash Taylor.

[Nols of the Goldy]

Titans coach Garth Brennan warns Ash Taylor he’s not undroppable

Titans coach Garth Brennan has warned halfback Ash Taylor he faces the axe if he doesn’t live up to his $1 million-a-season salary this year.

Taylor is set to make his first appearance of the year in Saturday’s final trial hitout against the Broncos at Cbus Super Stadium.

The 23-year-old playmaker has been sidelined after a minor shoulder operation late in the pre-season and did not play in last Saturday’s trial loss to the Cowboys.

Taylor is entering the first season of a $3 million contract which has made him the highest paid player at the Gold Coast.

The former Broncos junior has been earmarked as a future Queensland Origin halfback and now has 70 NRL games under his belt.

The Titans have spent big on securing Taylor, but Brennan reckons that doesn’t mean he is a selection untouchable.

Brennan has brought Tyrone Roberts back to the Titans this year, signed Ryley Jacks from Melbourne, recruited NSW Origin utility Tyrone Peachey from Penrith and also has a rising star in AJ Brimson at his disposal.

“All the spots are up for grabs,” Brennan told The Courier-Mail.

“Ash is our marquee player and the highest paid in the club, but I showed last year that it doesn’t matter what you’re on, if you don’t play well you won’t get picked.

“This year I have the luxury that if Ash’s form doesn’t warrant being picked, there are some genuine options to fill that hole.

“We’re all hoping Ash can reach the levels we hope he can reach.

“No one is safe. It’s not a threat, but we’ve got the luxury this year with some depth in positions.


“You’re not getting picked on salary or reputation. You’re being picked on form. If your form doesn’t warrant being picked then you won’t be picked.

“That’s how I operate. I always have. That’s the fair way.

“Everyone knows where they stand. Whether it was Koni (Konrad Hurrell), (Kane) Elgey, Bryce (Cartwright), (Leilani) Latu … their form wasn’t up to scratch last year and I couldn’t keep picking them on reputation or salary.

“We’ve got to win. It’s not about reputations or salary. The NRL is about results.”

Taylor has had a rollercoaster NRL career since debuting for the Broncos in 2015.

He was crowned the Dally M rookie of the year in 2016 after helping the Titans qualify for the finals for the first time since 2010.

Taylor played every game in the Gold Coast’s doomed 2017 season which eventually saw coach Neil Henry sacked and struggled for consistency last year.

Despite his tender age, the Titans have relied on Taylor to produce the bulk of their points due to a lack of attacking options.

But Brennan said it is a different story this year following the addition of Peachey and return of Robert.

“He’s got some players around him this year that can take a bit of pressure off him,” he said.

“Tyrone Peachey is the big key on that one. He is a game breaker. Tyrone doesn’t stick to his edge, he will come looking for the football.

“Instead of everyone turning to Ash when the game is on the line, we’ve got a few guys that can take a bit of pressure off Ash.

“We didn’t have that last year. It was basically the Ash show and if he didn’t aim up we got beaten.”

Roberts is expected to get first crack at the No.6 jersey alongside Taylor, with Brimson to return from a shoulder reconstruction as a bench utility.

[BundyTitan]

Confirmed: @GCTitans sign Treymain Spry to a full-time contract. Powerfully built Ipswich product who will add further depth to the outside backs.

Anyone know much about him? Good prospect?

[gotitans101_]

Is this the guy that Meyn has labeled a genetic freak on his Twitter just now? CM article is paywalled for me.

[BundyTitan]

Gold Coast Titans sign a genetic freak who has been labelled the next Latrell Mitchell
MARCH 01, 2019

Teen sensation Treymain Spry has inked a two-year deal with the Titans ahead of Saturday night’s final pre-season trial against the Broncos at Cbus Super Stadium.

The Ipswich product was given a train-and-trial deal by the Gold Coast after being released from the Roosters due to homesickness.
He has impressed coach Garth Brennan so much that he has secured a two-year NRL contract and is in the mix to make his first grade debut this year.

Spry, 19, smashed four gym records at the Titans during the pre-season and has earned comparisons with NSW and Kangaroos star Mitchell.

“Treymain Spry is a young kid from Ipswich who was at the Roosters and got home sick and wanted to move home,” Brennan said.

“The Roosters didn’t want to let him go but they did so he could go home. There were a heap of clubs trying to sign him but he chose to come home.

“Treymain arrived at the club a little later than everyone else but has made every post a winner since joining the full-time squad. He has broken three or four records in the gym and is a teenage centre.

“For an outside back and someone so young, he has great strength and he hasn’t backed down from any challenge handed to him throughout the pre-season.

“I look forward to continuing to work with him over the course of the year.”

Spry is a product of Ipswich State High and was juggling work in a warehouse and footy in Sydney last year.
He has been rising at 4am to travel to the Gold Coast from Redbank Plains, near Ipswich, in a bid to prove himself to Brennan.

Spry will come off the bench in the Broncos trial and is expected to put pressure on first-choice centres Brian Kelly and Tyrone Peachey as the season progresses.

“He’s a special talent,” Spry’s agent Simon Mammino said.

“He looks wiry but his strength is incredible.

“He had a year at the Roosters and the club treated him well, but he just became really homesick. He had interest from several clubs but he wanted to be closer to his family.

“Treymain is super quick. He just glides across the turf, he definitely has the ability to play NRL.

[gotitans101_]

Thanks Bundy.

[Titanic Believer]

The club website says Sprye is the clubs 29th signing. The team profiles show 29 already without him. What am I missing?

[mdrew]

Confirmed: @GCTitans sign Treymain Spry to a full-time contract. Powerfully built Ipswich product who will add further depth to the outside backs.

Anyone know much about him? Good prospect?

Tremain Spry. The former Ipswich State High School student spent the off-season training with the Titans NRL squad land has signed a two year NRL deal with the Titans as a result of his hard work.

Tremain Spry started from the interchange bench in the Titans first NRL trial this season against the Norther Queensland Cowboys on the Sunshine Coast. In the NRL trial Tremain Spry had a tough initiation but after that settled down putting in a solid performance in a match not conducive to outside backs.

Tremain Spry played for the Burleigh Bears Queensland Cup side in their Queensland Cup trial the week prior against the Souths Logan Magpies.

Tremain Spry will also start from the bench for the Titans second and final NRL trial when they take on Brisbane on the Gold Coast this weekend.

In 2018 Tremain Spry played for the Sydney Roosters in the U20 Jersey Flegg competition, across the season playing in fourteen matches in red, white and blue.

Tremain Spry started Round One against the Sharks at fullback and Round Two against the Mounties on the wing before missing a number of rounds with injury coming back for Round Seven on the wing against Manly. Tremain Spry stayed on the wing until Round Thirteen when he moved into the centres against Penrith and stayed there for the remainder of the 2018 season.

Prior to his move to the centres, Tremain Spry scored a single try which came in Round Eight against the Mounties, but post his move to the centres Tremain Spry scored seven tries from eight matches.

Tremain Spry scored doubles in Round Fourteen against the Newcastle Knight and in Rounds Twenty-Three against the Wests Tigers and also scored in Rounds Thirteen, Seventeen and Eighteen against Penrith, North Sydney and Manly respectively.

In Round Twenty in a match against the North Sydney Bears, Tremain Spry was up against fellow Titans NRL trialist Jesse Arthurs, Jesse Arthurs was one of the Bears try scorers that afternoon.

In 2017 Tremain Spry started on the wing for the Queensland U18 side in their match against traditional rivals New South Wales. On the opposite wing that night for Queensland was fellow Titans NRL hopeful Kea Pere.

Also in 2017 Tremain Spry was a standout for Ipswich State High School especially in the Langer Cup including scoring a memorable try against Wavell State High School. Leevai Sutton who was part of the Titans U18 side in their recent matches against PNG and New South Wales Country was Ipswich State High School’s fullback that season with Tremain Spry playing in the centres.

2017 also saw Tremain Spry play for the Ipswich Jets in the MM Cup competition where he primarily played at fullback.

Tremain Spry has very good speed off the mark, which I would consider above average for a centre and can break to the outside quickly, couple that with long arms, which he uses to great effect with a powerful fend makes him difficult to tackle. When opposing centres are able to get hold of him, Tremain Spry usually is able to maintain his balance and keeps an arm free, looking to offload to either his inside or outside support.

Tremain Spry has more tools though than just an in and away, he will also use his size and strength to run straight over smaller opposing centres as well as also having the skill to step back inside of the defender if he is pushing to the outside too early.

Tremain Spry also has a powerful fend which served him well in the NYC competition and in fact has been the reason for at least two of his line breaks this season when his opposing centre has gone high and he has just palmed him off with seemingly little effort. His natural strength is just an impressive attribute.

A real positive for me is that Tremain Spry can also run a good inside shoulder line due to the fact that he maintains his spacing in the back line and will quickly identify where his direct opponent is ling up to determine whether it is appropriate to run an inside or outside shoulder line or a “crash” line for that matter, he certainly has the courage to run that line regularly which not everybody has.

As you would expect, due to his size and strength, Tremain Spry is a very good defender regardless of position. He will not necessarily hit hard but is definitely aggressive and he is very good at mirroring the movement of the opposing centre and wrapping him up ball and all. He is also quick enough to recover and chase if the opposing centre gets on the outside and his long reach is also a positive attribute in those situations.

From a team defensive methodology stand point, Tremain Spry seems to be very comfortable in a sliding defensive scheme where he can use his speed and body control to their best advantage in though he can be an intimidating presence when he chooses to come out of the line to interrupt the attacking movement immediately prior to its development.

As noted above Tremain Spry trained the offseason with the Titans NRL squad and come the start of the 2019 season proper will line up for the Tweed Heads Seagulls most likely starting in the Hastings Deering’s U20 Colts competition before more than likely making his Queensland Intrust Super Cup debut as the 2019 season progresses after already playing a Queensland Cup trial with the Seagulls against Souths Logan.

Tremain Spry spent time at fullback on the wing and in the centres in the Sydney Roosters U20 Jersey Flegg side in 2018 but it is hard to go past how effective that he was when he moved to the centres for the Roosters especially from an attacking perspective and as such I would like to see him tested in the centres at the Queensland Cup level at least before there is any thought of him being moved as good centres are such a precious commodity in the NRL in the modern age.

A player with a similar playing style to Tremain Spry is for me St George Dragons 2018 rookie, Zac Lomax, both are far stronger than they look and have outstanding attacking abilities and under rated defensive attributes at their disposal

[JunctionBlock]

^^^^^^ this is why I love this forum.

[DIEHARD]

Will Peachey's versatility be blessing or curse?
Tony Webeck NRL.com reporter
https://www.nrl.com/

Defenders rarely know what Tyrone Peachey is going to do.

Often his teammates have no clue either.

Truth be told, even Peachey himself is not up to speed with the ‘Peach plan’ at all times.

It's the addition to the Gold Coast Titans that has the potential to most positively influence their season, but if not used correctly it could also be a millstone around their necks.

When the Titans run out against the Raiders in round one Peachey will line up in the centres, but where he spends the ensuing 80 minutes remains a mystery.

In Saturday's final trial against the Broncos the former Panther was shuffled into the forwards late in the first half to allow AJ Brimson to play in the backs.

Given his ability to play in the halves or at fullback, Brimson is shaping as Gold Coast's super sub on the interchange bench but Peachey is likely to be affected by whoever coach Garth Brennan decides to bring from the field.

Peachey's versatility will give Brennan cause to closely consider the make-up of his bench and it's a combination he needs to get right sooner rather than later.

"It may take a few weeks into the season before we get the right combination and that's probably why we'll be a better side as the season goes on," Brennan said.

"I don't want to be chopping and changing all the time. I want to have some continuity.

"Peach and I have had a few discussions about how I can use him best and we'll toy around with a few things.

"It's hard to put a structure around him when he plays off the cuff but that's what I love about him.

"When he gets the football in his hands, the crowd stands up. Sometimes the coach stands up because you think something's going to happen.

"Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, but he's a player that you love having in your football team because you know he's a competitor and something will happen when he gets the ball in his hands."

Indigenous All Stars teammates in February, Peachey and Tyrone Roberts will partner up on the left side at kick-off but the Titans five-eighth admits much will depend on Peachey as to how they connect on the field.

"You can't try and set him up for something, you've just got to let him do what he wants," Roberts said.

"We just stick to what we do at training and then he comes in.

"He lets us know where he is. If he comes in he'll say 'Give it to me' or 'I'm off your shoulder'. He's always got something in his head.

"Everyone knows how he plays but the defence can’t predict it, and that's the good thing about it.

"As long as he's in the game he's happy."

Notably happier with Roberts back from his one-year stint in England, halfback Ash Taylor is also likely to benefit significantly from having Peachey in the vicinity, even if he's not sure exactly what form that will take.

"He brings himself into the game. There's not really much more explanation,” Taylor said.

"He does his own thing, inserts himself into the game when he thinks he needs to and that's something that benefits me.

"I don't have to worry about where he's going to pop up. He'll just pop up wherever he thinks he needs to or whenever he thinks he's going to be a threat."

At a time when every NRL club operates within a 'structure' both in attack and defence, Peachey refuses to conform.

Since his first grade debut in 2013 the 27-year-old has been chosen in the starting team at fullback, centre, five-eighth, hooker, lock and in the second-row as coaches wrestle with how best to maximise his talents. In 46 of his 116 career NRL games they've given up and selected him on the bench.

He's one of few genuine footballers still left in the game at the highest level and for that, he makes no apologies.

"I'm a pretty unstructured player," Peachey said.

"I don’t really know what I’m going to do at certain points in the game.”

Whatever number he is wearing or where he is situated on the field, a fit Tyrone Peachey looms as the match-winner the Titans need.

"When the game is there to be won, I guarantee you that Tyrone Peachey will go looking for the football," added Brennan.

"He wants those moments, he wants that involvement and that's what I want."

[DIEHARD]

Brennan demands Titans find a harder edge
https://www.nrl.com/
Tony Webeck NRL.com reporter

Titans coach Garth Brennan has challenged his squad to shed the mediocrity of the past and find a killer instinct before round one after letting slip an 18-0 lead in their trial loss to the Broncos on Saturday night.

Two tries to Kevin Proctor and a third to Brenko Lee took the home side to an 18-0 lead but Broncos half Kodi Nikorima inspired a second-half comeback with four unanswered tries.

Titans winger Jesse Arthars grabbed his side’s fourth in the final minute of the 25-22 defeat.

Raiders recruit Shannon Boyd was effective in his first 23-minute stint as a Titan and Tyrone Peachey switched from centre to lock late in the first half to highlight his value to the team.

Jai Arrow and Ash Taylor were also strong in their first appearances for 2019.

When the Titans and Broncos last met Brisbane dished out a 34-0 hiding but Brennan said the club can no longer accept close enough being good enough, even in a pre-season trial.

“It’s a little bit of the Titans of old in that we got comfortable and stopped doing what got us into that position in the first place,” said Brennan.

“In years gone by, the Titans would have come off thinking that was great, four tries each, we’ve competed well but we want to win. Whether it’s a comp game, a trial match or a game of marbles, we’ve got to get that mentality that we want to win.

“I’m disappointed that we couldn’t go on with it.

“We’ve got to start getting that steely edge about us, it’s as simple as that.

“Certainly there were some really good signs from what we dished up in that first half but it’s that mental toughness that we’ve got to get better at.”

Maroons prop Jarrod Wallace was a member of the Brisbane team that defeated the Titans 44-28 in the 2016 finals series and said that the side’s mental fragility cost them a number of victories last season.

“We started that first half really well and then just lost it in the second half and there were too many games last year when we did that,” Wallace told NRL.com.

“That’s what Garth’s talking about, close enough isn’t good enough.

“We’re letting the pressure off and getting comfortable and throwing balls that we shouldn’t throw, missing one-on-one tackles and things like that.

“We’ll make sure that in two weeks’ time when we’re playing Canberra we don’t let that go.”

Having come through the two trials injury-free, Brennan will have almost a complete squad to choose from prior to round one.

Captain Ryan James is expected to be fit in time after suffering a knee injury a month ago, Brennan’s biggest headache settling on the 17 players to face the Raiders.

The introduction of AJ Brimson late in the first half at fullback saw a shuffle of Michael Gordon to the wing, Brenko Lee to the centres, Brian Kelly shift from right to left centre and Peachey into the lock forward position.

Peachey’s versatility gives Brennan a decision to make in the make-up of his bench, a decision he will continue to ponder over the coming two weeks.

“I’m not sure. There are a few things I’ve have to look at when we go back and look at the video,” Brennan said when asked whether there would be similar such shuffles once the Telstra Premiership kicks off.

“It helps having a player like Tyrone Peachey in your team. You can throw him in the middle, throw him in the halves, throw him in the centres.

“He’s ideal to have in your side and you don’t necessarily need to have that utility on your bench when you’ve got someone like Tyrone who can adapt fairly quickly.

“The more he gets used to playing with those guys and they can get to know what he does, I think that can help the team out as well.”

Peachey’s ability to play a number of positions could open the door for Bryce Cartwright to play his way into the 17 for round one.

Effective in defence and showing far greater discretion with his ball-playing, Cartwright hardly put a foot wrong in an 80-minute display against the Broncos that will give Brennan another option to consider.