While a plethora of clubs dominated headlines for the wrong reasons during the off-season, the Gold Coast Titans have prepared for 2019 free of scandal.
And the Titans' players are optimistic heading into a new campaign despite an inconsistent 2018 that saw the team finish third-last.
"I have full confidence we're going to shock a lot of people," high-profile signing Tyrone Peachey declared in December.
If Gold Coast are to shoot up the ladder next year, their defence needs to improve markedly.
They conceded more than 25 points on a whopping 13 occasions last season.
Unsurprisingly with a statistic like that, Garth Brennan's men only won back-to-back matches twice in the entire season.
But there were some glimmering rays of hope in '18 namely the emergence of 20-year-old gun AJ Brimson.
Having burst into first grade in round 10, the former touch football star quickly made his mark as an attacking weapon as he switched between five-eighth and fullback.
Brimson will likely play in the No.1 jersey in 2019, with talented Melbourne recruit Ryley Jacks and Tyrone Roberts to battle it out for a start in the halves.
The victor will partner halfback Ash Taylor, who is coming off an encouraging personal season.
The 23-year-old playmaker ranked third in the NRL for try assists and was nearly rewarded for his form with a Queensland Origin berth.
No doubt he will benefit playing behind a powerful forward pack this season, headlined by former Canberra Raiders behemoth Shannon Boyd.
And of course Peachey will add strike to the backline.
At one point the NSW Blues utility admitted he wanted out of his Titans deal but he arrived on the glitter strip ready to rip and tear.
GOLD COAST TITANS' PRE-SEASON NEWS
The Titans pulled off a big coup in November when they announced current Australian coach and rugby league Immortal Mal Meninga as Head of Performance and Culture.
Meninga said he won't interfere with coach Garth Brennan's duties and detailed his plan to "drive a winning environment across the entire organisation."
Later that month, the Titans announced a new chief executive former Touch Football Australia boss Steve Mitchell.
Mitchell, who previously held roles with the North Queensland Cowboys, Melbourne Rebels (Super Rugby) and the Seven Network, spoke of a "very exciting future" for the Gold Coast club.
In an initiative from Brennan, the entire Titans NRL squad spent four days in the blue-collar workforce prior to the Christmas break.
The players were treated like regular employees and worked eight-hour shifts before returning to Gold Coast headquarters for training at night.
"We started pre-season training early and it has been something I have been thinking about for a while," Brennan said at the time.
"... A lot of our players come through the grades and straight into full-time training. I want them to experience what it's like for our corporates, members and fans. What it's like to have a full day of work and then go to training, or the gym."
Four Titans Ash Taylor, Phillip Sami, AJ Brimson and Brenko Lee were named in the Queensland emerging Origin squad in December.
GOLD COAST TITANS' 30-MAN NRL SQUAD
Ex-Penrith outside back Tyrone Peachey is among a host of strong signings for Gold Coast.
While Peachey will provide X-factor on the edges, having been training at centre, former Canberra and Australian prop Shannon Boyd is set to bring much-needed size and grunt to the middle.
Ryley Jacks makes the journey to Queensland after plying his trade with Melbourne for the past two seasons and he certainly learnt the art of winning under Craig Bellamy, having been victorious in 20 of the 25 games he played for the Storm
Half Tyrone Roberts is back for a second stint at the Titans after spending 2018 in England with the Warrington Wolves.
Gold Coast also snared former Manly Sea Eagles centre Brian Kelly. The 22-year-old previously played Holden Cup for the Titans.
Rounding out the recruits is Jesse Arthars. Still only 20, Arthars played in the Intrust Super Premiership with the North Sydney Bears as a fullback and winger last year and is in line to make his first grade debut.
Fan-favourite Konrad Hurrell has departed the team to take up an offer from Leeds Rhinos in the UK Super League.
Winger Brendan Elliott and back Tyronne Roberts-Davis have moved on as well.
The Titans have two spots remaining in their top 30 and have until June 30 to finalise the squad.
Player Date of Birth Height, weight Position NRL matches Rep honours
1 Alexander 'AJ' Brimson 9/9/1998 181cm, 89kg Fullback/Five-eighth 15 Nil
2 Anthony Don 21/9/1987 188cm, 100kg Wing 110 Country Origin
3 Ashley Taylor 17/3/1995 181cm, 91kg Halfback 70 Nil
4 Brenko Lee 10/10/1995 190cm, 104kg Wing 47 Tonga
5 Brian Kelly 20/5/1996 182cm, 92kg Centre 47 Country Origin
6 Bryce Cartwright 15/11/1994 193cm, 107kg Second-row/Lock 82 City Origin, World All Stars
7 Dale Copley 21/7/1991 184cm, 93kg Centre 118 Nil
8 Jack Stockwell 2/3/1992 192cm, 106kg Prop 79 Nil
9 Jai Arrow 12/7/1995 189cm, 101kg Lock/Prop 45 Queensland
10 Jai Whitbread 16/1/1998 186cm, 107kg Prop 1 Nil
11 Jarrod Wallace 23/7/1991 188cm, 109kg Prop 114 Queensland
12 Jesse Arthurs 8/7/1998 189cm, 88kg Fullback 0 Nil
13 Keegan Hipgrave 1/1/1997 183cm, 102kg Lock/Prop/Second-row 20 Nil
14 Kevin Proctor 29/2/1989 189cm, 107kg Second-row 218 New Zealand, New Zealand Maori
15 Leilani Latu 5/2/1993 190cm, 112kg Prop 55 Tonga, Indig. All Stars, City Origin
16 Maxwell King 4/5/1997 188cm, 105kg Lock 29 Nil
17 Michael Gordon 24/10/1983 179cm, 88kg Fullback/Wing 245 NSW, Country Origin
18 Mitchell Rein 26/4/1990 176cm, 88kg Hooker 161 Country Origin
19 Moeaki Fotuaika 16/11/1999 185cm, 107kg Prop 16
20 Morgan Boyle 17/7/1996 194cm, 111kg Prop 22 Nil
21 Nathan Peats 5/10/1990 181cm, 91kg Hooker/Lock 138 NSW, Indig. All Stars, City Origin
22 Phillip Sami 2/8/1997 186cm, 97kg Wing 27 Nil
23 Ryan James (captain) 20/7/1991 193cm, 106kg Prop 138 Indig. All Stars, Country Origin
24 Ryley Jacks 2/6/1992 185cm, 94kg Halfback/Five-eighth 25 Canada
25 Shannon Boyd 9/11/1992 194cm, 122kg Prop 111 Australia, Country Origin
26 Tyrone Peachey 8/8/1993 183cm, 93kg Centre/Five-eighth 116 NSW, Indig. All Stars, Country Origin, PMXIII
27 Tyrone Roberts 1/7/1991 175cm, 98kg Halfback/Fullback 138 Indig. All Stars, NSW Country
28 William Matthews 30/3/1988 187cm, 98kg Second-row 109 Nil
29 TBC
30 TBC
COACH: Garth Brennan
Additions (players who weren't in 2018 squad): Tyrone Peachey (Penrith Panthers), Shannon Boyd (Canberra Raiders), Tyrone Roberts (Warrington Wolves), Ryley Jacks (Melbourne Storm), Jesse Arthars (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Brian Kelly (Manly Sea Eagles)
Losses: Kane Elgey (Manly Sea Eagles), Brendan Elliott (Manly Sea Eagles), Konrad Hurrell (Leeds Rhinos), Joe Greenwood (Wigan Warriors), Kiah Cooper (unsigned), Ryan Simpkins (retired), Tony Matautia (unsigned), Tyronne Roberts-Davis (unsigned)
Re-signed: Dale Copley (2020), Anthony Don (2020), Keegan Hipgrave (2020), Brenko Lee (2019), Phillip Sami (2020), Jack Stockwell (2019), Jarrod Wallace (2022)
Off-contract beyond 2019: Jesse Arthars, Michael Gordon, Ryley Jacks, Maxwell King, Brenko Lee, Mitch Rein, Jack Stockwell, Jai Whitbread
GOLD COAST TITANS' BETTING ODDS
At $51 (as of 19/12/18), the Titans bring up the rear of the premiership betting market. They are yet to win a title in their 12-season history.
Ash Taylor is Gold Coast's best chance of taking out the Dally M Medal according to bookies, with the playmaker priced at $34.
He is followed by representative forward Jai Arrow ($67).
The club are $12 to finish in the top four and $4 to make the top eight.
GOLD COAST TITANS' 2019 DRAW
Games played on
Thursday: 1
Friday: 7
Saturday: 8
Sunday: Eight
Teams they play twice
Sharks, Warriors, Panthers, Knights, Cowboys, Sea Eagles, Broncos, Storm, Dragons
Round Date Opponent Venue
1 Sunday 17 March 6:10pm Canberra Raiders Cbus Super Stadium
2 Saturday 23 March 3:00pm Cronulla Sharks Shark Park
3 Sunday 31 March 6:10pm South Sydney Rabbitohs ANZ Stadium
4 Friday 5 April 6:00pm New Zealand Warriors Mt Smart Stadium
5 Friday 12 April 6:00pm Penrith Panthers Cbus Super Stadium
6 Sunday 21 April 2:00pm Newcastle Knights Cbus Super Stadium
7 Saturday 27 April 5:30pm Wests Tigers Scully Park
8 Friday 3 May 6:00pm North Queensland Cowboys 1300SMILES Stadium
9 Thursday 9 May 7:50pm Cronulla Sharks Suncorp Stadium
10 Saturday 18 May 3:00pm Canterbury Bulldogs Cbus Super Stadium
11 Friday 24 May 6:00pm Manly Sea Eagles Lottoland
12 Sunday 2 June 4:05pm North Queensland Cowboys Cbus Super Stadium
13 Sunday 9 June 2:00pm Brisbane Broncos Suncorp Stadium
14 Friday 14 June 6:00pm New Zealand Warriors Cbus Super Stadium
15 Saturday 29 June 3:00pm Manly Sea Eagles Cbus Super Stadium
16 BYE
17 Friday 12 July 6:00pm Penrith Panthers Panthers Stadium
18 Sunday 21 July 2:00pm Melbourne Storm Cbus Super Stadium
19 Saturday 27 July 5:30pm Brisbane Broncos Cbus Super Stadium
20 Sunday 4 August 2:00pm Sydney Roosters Sydney Cricket Ground
21 Saturday 10 August 3:00pm St George Illawarra Dragons Jubilee Stadium
22 Friday 16 August 6:00pm Parramatta Eels Cbus Super Stadium
23 Sunday 25 August 2:00pm Melbourne Storm AAMI Park
24 Saturday 31 August 3:00pm Newcastle Knights McDonald Jones Stadium
25 Saturday 7 September 7:35pm St George Illawarra Dragons Cbus Super Stadium
It's a big year for...
Bryce Cartwright.
It seems an eternity ago that Bryce Cartwright was banging down the door for NSW Origin selection.
At the conclusion of 2018, his first as a Titan, he was lucky to still be playing first grade after a subpar year in which his defence was pilloried.
There's no denying that Cartwright is a special player when he's at his peak. Anyone who is over 100kg and possesses the deft ball skills of Cartwright is a rare threat.
By all reports, the 24-year-old has trained the house down during the pre-season and is in prime physical shape to return to top form.
If Cartwright fires, the Titans will be a much more dangerous team.
But another disappointing year will be catastrophic for Cartwright's career on the Gold Coast, given there have already been numerous reports of the Titans trying to offload the wayward star.
MEMBERSHIP AND TICKETING
The Titans are yet to release membership numbers for 2019.
General tickets for the season are not yet available, aside from Magic Round in Brisbane (NRL round nine), during which all 16 NRL clubs play at Suncorp Stadium on the same weekend.
The Titans' Magic Round clash is against the Cronulla Sharks on Thursday, 10 May.
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