Gold Coast Titans 2023 NRL Preview & Predictions

<p>It’s a strange case of out with the new, in with the old at the Gold Coast this season, as Justin Holbrook turns to an NRL veteran to shake up his side’s spine.</p> <p>Former Manly pivot Kieran Foran has been brought in to provide some much-needed guidance in the halves, at the expense of once highly touted youngster Toby Sexton.</p> <p>The spinal surgery doesn’t stop there either, youngster Sam Verrills has moved to the glitter strip to become a starting dummy half for the first time in his young career.</p> <p>Will this new look core of the team finally yield the desired result for the GC and their fans? Or will there be more chopping and changing by the indecisive Holbrook as the season progresses? Read our 2023 season prediction for the Gold Coast Titans below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Gains</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong><em>Kieran Foran (Manly Sea Eagles)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Chris Randall (Newcastle Knights)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Aaron Schoupp (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Joe Stimson (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Sam Verrills (Sydney Roosters)</em></strong></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>As previously mentioned, Kieran Foran and Sam Verrills headline the Titans off season recruits.</p> <p>They are joined by ex-Bulldogs duo Aaron Schoupp and Joe Stimson as well as back-up rake Chris Randall who joins from the Newcastle Knights.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Losses</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong><em>Herman Ese’ese (The Dolphins)&nbsp;</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Jamayne Isaako (The Dolphins)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Sam Lisone (Leeds Rhinos)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Esan Marsters (Huddersfield Giants)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Greg Marzhew (Newcastle Knights)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Kevin Proctor (Wakefield Trinity)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Will Smith (Wests Tigers)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Corey Thompson (retired)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Jarrod Wallace (The Dolphins)</em></strong></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>There seems to have been a mass exodus to the Dolphins in the off season for the Titans, with Herman Eseése, Jamayne Isaako and Jarrod Wallace all relocating to Redcliffe.</p> <p>Joining them out the door are Sam Lisone, Esan Marsters and Kevin Proctor who have all made the move across the pond to England.</p> <p>Winger Greg Marzhew and utility Will Smith have found new homes in the NRL, while former flyer Corey Thompson has hung up the boots for good.</p> <p>A new outlook is needed at the Titans and this roster clean out is definitely a big step in the right direction.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Player To Watch</h3>

<p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><em>David Fifita</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Titans’ million-dollar man is never far away from the headlines. Off contract from 2024 onwards, this season could be his last on the Gold Coast.</p> <p>Seeing as Fifita is now free to negotiate with rival clubs, speculation has been rife about whether or not he will re-commit his future to his current employers.</p> <p>Either way, the man mountain of a second rower will be one to watch in 2023. On his day Fifita is easily the most destructive forward in the game, able to run over opposition defenders with ease.</p> <p>An uncertain future only adds to the drama, with Fifita surely wanting to turn in a monster season to put himself front and center in the shop window in order to secure another bumper contract.</p> <p>Whether that contract is at the Titans or elsewhere remains to be seen.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Gold Coast Titans Season Prediction</h3> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <p><em>Predicted finish: <strong>11th</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>After so much promise, it was another disappointing season for the Gold Coast and their supporters in 2022.</p> <p>They limped to a measly 13th placed finish due to their ability to fade in and out of games. There were times last term where they lost games from seemingly unlosable positions.</p> <p>This is something they will need to rectify in 2023 if they are to kick on and push for a finals berth.</p> <p>Kieran Foran has no doubt been brought in for his game managing and should be able to help his side buck this undesirable trend.</p> <p>Whether he sees out the season in the No.6 jersey is another matter however, with the ever trigger happy Holbrook still in charge, no one is safe.</p> <p>There should be some improvement across the board for the Gold Coast in 2023, but not enough for them to make the top 8 and not enough for Justin Holbrook to keep his job, with a change at the helm needed for 2024 and beyond.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Predicted Team For Round 1</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ol> <li>AJ Brimson</li> <li>Jojo Fifita</li> <li>Aaron Schoupp</li> <li>Phil Sami</li> <li>Alofiana Khan-Pereira</li> <li>Kieran Foran</li> <li>Tanah Boyd</li> <li>Moeaki Fotuaika</li> <li>Sam Verrills</li> <li>Tino Fa’asuamaleaui</li> <li>David Fifita</li> <li>Beau Fermor</li> <li>Erin Clark</li> <li>Jayden Campbell</li> <li>Jaimin Jolliffe</li> <li>Isaac Liu</li> <li>Joe Stimson</li> </ol>