2023 Season General Discussion Thread

[Titslover]

It will probably all hang on one or two things. What they offer his better half, and how we start the year. If Foran starts putting Dave through holes and he starts scoring tries, he might decide he'd like to stay. Especially if rep footy gets back on the cards for him.

Then again...his manager would then probably get in his ear and tell him he's worth way more than we're paying him. Our bean counters, soothsayers and sweet talkers will need to be at the top of their games.

Maybe it will just come down to his girlfriend's choice and how much she could influence him. Interestingly, the dragons aren't getting much of a mention about the prospect of Dave lobbing up there.

I hope Foran and Verrills have the keys to unlock the beast that is David Fifita on a regular basis. I want him to stay.

Doesn’t seem like we’re close to getting a decision but I’d be surprised if he hasn’t signed a deal before the start of the season. As much as I want him to stay, it doesn’t seem like hes passionate about staying like Tino or Brimmo have been.

Agree about the Guru comments as well, god he’s awful to listen to. He’s ruined Bloke in a Bar’s Monday podcasts with his **** takes.

[Menoitios]

I find Guru to be witty and informative.

And, I think Petey Badel has his finger right on our pulse here at the titans. I also think @coreythompson may very well have been Corey Thompson.



Hey look! A dancing banana...

Man, it's good to be back!

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Doesn’t seem like we’re close to getting a decision but I’d be surprised if he hasn’t signed a deal before the start of the season. As much as I want him to stay, it doesn’t seem like hes passionate about staying like Tino or Brimmo have been.

Agree about the Guru comments as well, god he’s awful to listen to. He’s ruined Bloke in a Bar’s Monday podcasts with his **** takes.

Yeah, I guess Tino and AJ don't cop the crap that Dave does from the media and (some) Titans fans alike. A lot of people lose sight of the fact that it's a team sport. Anyway...fingers crossed!

[WolfBuddy4]

I cannot stand Guru. Guys knowledge of the Titans (and tbh rugby league in general) is pretty weak and he constantly has highly misinformed, poorly researched or just flat out incorrect takes. The way he talks makes it sound like he knows more about everything than he actually does. His content appeals to a casual audience who doesn’t know any better and that’s fine, but its not for me. The fact he calls himself NRL Guru I found very ironic too lol

Fair. Haven't seen enough of him to form much of an opinion but still found his content to have some entertainment value to pass time in the off-season.

[ozynorts]

I find it interesting in the Fifita article the references to any deal that the Raiders might offer his girlfriend. In the NRLW teams aren’t able to do any contracting yet so not sure how that is a relevant point at this stage.

[Titanic]

Surely if we really wanted him we would also package his girl. Family, friends and the Gold Coast surely beats life in the capital.

[jacksonm]

I cannot stand Guru. Guys knowledge of the Titans (and tbh rugby league in general) is pretty weak and he constantly has highly misinformed, poorly researched or just flat out incorrect takes. The way he talks makes it sound like he knows more about everything than he actually does. His content appeals to a casual audience who doesn’t know any better and that’s fine, but its not for me. The fact he calls himself NRL Guru I found very ironic too lol

Yep, totally agree. Big club guy is the guru and intel is poor and knowledge of Titans pathetic.
Still goes on about the Fogarty release.

[Cowabunga]

https://ibb.co/bgFjKN0

I like what I see...
The vomiting in pre season from Foran, the friendships, Jayden looking jacked, Kieran Foran joining 4/6 weeks before he's allowed, Verrils getting a shoulder injury knocking out 1 of his 3 odd injuries this year already, Holbrook loving Randall to much for my liking despite being here 3 days.

It smells like Hope... I love the vibes.

[NZFan]

I think this has been discussed before but what would people think about AJ at 7. For me, JC is our long term 1. AJ is good at the back but he’s better when he has the ball more. The benefit would be that Foran could play his natural position of 6 and form the combination with Fafita.

It doesn’t solve our kicking problem but I’d argue that it’s not such a concern if AJ JC and Foran are on the field at the same time. Melbourne doesn’t have a specialised kicker in their halves but they make do. AJ is a leader within this younger team now he should be looking to take on more responsibility. Shoupp can do the goal kicking.

The more than I think about our halves problem the more I go around in circles. In short we needed a 7 not a 6. I don’t envy Holbrook as whatever he lands on will be wrong in most people’s eyes.

[WolfBuddy4]

I think this has been discussed before but what would people think about AJ at 7. For me, JC is our long term 1. AJ is good at the back but he’s better when he has the ball more. The benefit would be that Foran could play his natural position of 6 and form the combination with Fafita.

It doesn’t solve our kicking problem but I’d argue that it’s not such a concern if AJ JC and Foran are on the field at the same time. Melbourne doesn’t have a specialised kicker in their halves but they make do. AJ is a leader within this younger team now he should be looking to take on more responsibility. Shoupp can do the goal kicking.

The more than I think about our halves problem the more I go around in circles. In short we needed a 7 not a 6. I don’t envy Holbrook as whatever he lands on will be wrong in most people’s eyes.

AJ at 7 is too much responsibility - he will not be the primary playmaker or kicker. Jahrome Hughes has a much better long kicking game than Foran or AJ still. When you say Foran could combine his combination with Fifita as a 6, Fifita will play on the right for us so he would need to play 7. Beau and AJ already have that strong combination on our left.

I think that Foran or AJ will inevitably start 6 and 14 as I think the boot of Sexton or Tanah will be too important at the start of the game if we are struggling. AJ or Foz could come on if we are lacking that spark or fluidity in attack. The first 20m is so important in deciding the outcome and we will need a long-kicking game IMO. JC will provide that but it is very handy to have multiple competent players, as it opens up possibilities to kick on both sides of the ruck.

[Hail Sezer]

I think this has been discussed before but what would people think about AJ at 7. For me, JC is our long term 1. AJ is good at the back but he’s better when he has the ball more. The benefit would be that Foran could play his natural position of 6 and form the combination with Fafita.

It doesn’t solve our kicking problem but I’d argue that it’s not such a concern if AJ JC and Foran are on the field at the same time. Melbourne doesn’t have a specialised kicker in their halves but they make do. AJ is a leader within this younger team now he should be looking to take on more responsibility. Shoupp can do the goal kicking.

The more than I think about our halves problem the more I go around in circles. In short we needed a 7 not a 6. I don’t envy Holbrook as whatever he lands on will be wrong in most people’s eyes.

Seeing Jahrome Hughes come through the grades he didn't resemble anything close to a #7 but now that he's been Bellamy'd it looks like it was always inevitable....just amazing what that guy can do.

With AJ, the amount of mental investment and off-ball responsibility would pigeon hole him a bit at 7 and playing first receiver would take away some of his offensive juice too. I think it could potentially take away from his biggest strengths while highlighting a few of his weaknesses.

Re the bold...yep...it's gonna be contentious and people are going to expect a coordinated, fluid, firing spine combination from day 1. Which isn't going to happen.

[willhelm]

I think Foran will be the 7, but I want Boyd with Foran at 6. We’re gonna struggle with long kicking.

[T0ken]

Dreamtime wise I would prefer Foran at 6 Boyd at 7 with Aj in the centres and shifting to wing to catch a highball on the last

Aj has a high grit ceiling but is out skilled by JCs potential ceiling imo

Sexton developing with weaver at tweed to make our own combo with Bryant and degroot playing cup aswell will give us a good look at the future

But it’s gonna be an interesting season of flux and experimentation imo. Forans not on that much coin that he has to be picked every week. In fact most of our spine isn’t so it can really be picked on form and team dynamics

[Hail Sezer]

Foran played 7 on the right a few times last season and I put myself through recently watching a Manly game vs the Warriors where he played there. Small sample size, but..

Look, his long kicking game leaves a lot to be desired. As far as playing halfback goes, he did everything else very well. Controlled the team to spots, compressed & stretched the D with unders/overs variation, knows how to control tempo, stays on the ball, plays quick and still has a running game. The highlight was probably how he used his backrower Ola'akauatu...guy was being given quality ball on a platter and it was clearly set-up a few tackles in advance. We gotta remember Foran plays a lot different to how he used to and IMO he looked every bit a very capable NRL halfback..minus the long kicking game.

Not a surprising take but I think minus the kicking, he still does everything better than Boyd. But, kicking is important and Boyd is still a developing player....so back on the fence I sit as to what my preference is, and am gonna really need to see it all on the field to know what looks best.

Still think they're gonna run JC/AJ/Foran to start and agree it's likely gonna be a patience-testing experimentation process but man, poor Justin

[The Birdman]

Boyd or Foran should be the halfback to start. Not too fussed who to be honest. I'm thinking Foran has the experience and maturity to make it work at 7 and he's my starting 7 pending the first month or two's results.

I would not be fussed if Holbrook went with Boyd to start however.

I just hope we don't pigeon-hole AJ into the left centre role though, one of his best attributes is his ability to pop up wherever on the field and cause havok with his acceleration. He's much better suited to 1 or 6 IMO and would be wasted in the centres.

[Cowabunga]

https://www.titans.com.au/news/2022/...ttle-heats-up/

Knowing the quality of talent local junior AJ Brimson is, it's expected he will be in the mix somewhere in the back five - which leaves the final piece of the puzzle being the most experienced member in the Titans playing squad - a man who has played over 250 games, won a premiership and represented his country as one of the game's accomplished playmakers.

I wonder if it's just the clubs media person writing it up but this is probably the first thing I've seen from the club talking about AJ switching back to the backline which I would think means fullback but maybe the centre call is being considered. I do wonder if Jayden could be moving to the wing for a couple of years. With his size gain and him talking about being able to play on the wing in his first interview, seems interesting and would probably suit the team better. Hopefully Jojo over Kelly as well.