We’re counting down every club’s best 17 in the NRL era.
Up next is the Titans, here is their best line-up over that period:
Arriving in 2009 after a promising beginning to his career at Canberra, Zillman couldn’t quite become a world-beater at the back for the Titans, but he did become a very reliable and consistent performer for the side and could fill in anywhere in the backline if needed.
The ‘Don’ was a late bloomer in the NRL, debuting five months before his 26th birthday and is still scoring tries for fun as he approaches 32. Don has been a brilliant try-scorer for the Titans and needs just two tries to score 10 or more in five consecutive seasons. Overtook David Mead’s club try-scoring record in round three this year.
One of Cronulla’s all-time favourite sons returned from a five-year stint in rugby union to join the Gold Coast Titans in their inaugural season before playing a crucial role in their first four years including their back-to-back finals campaigns in 2009 and 2010. Came out of retirement for one game only in 2011 to help the struggling side.
Roberts only turned out in 36 games for the Titans, but it was his performances on the Gold Coast that put him officially on the map in the NRL and earnt him a big move to Brisbane. Roberts was absolutely electric, threatening with every touch to break open. His 2015 season was a personal best at that point, scoring 16 tries and playing every game.
The flying Papua New Guinean held the gong of the Titans’ greatest try scorer from 2015 up until Anthony Don overtook him this year. Mead burst onto the scene in '09 and quickly gained the reputation as one of the quickest players in the league, blessed with some brilliant finishing.
Campbell returned to the Gold Coast where he kicked off his career in 1998, with the Chargers, to kick-start the Titans brand. Campbell played the majority of games with the Titans at fullback but also played in the halves for them. An absolute fan favourite for the club’s fans, Campbell was a player that never let the team down.
The experienced, journeyman of a halfback, Scott Prince made his way to the Titans two years after captaining the Wests Tigers to their first premiership, and reached one game away from securing the first Gold Coast premiership in 2010 when he steered the side to a preliminary final appearance from fourth-place. The club’s first captain, along with Luke Bailey.
Like Scott Prince, Laffranchi also joined not long after a premiership with the Tigers. Laffranchi became one of the most important forwards at the club and his solid form gifted him NSW and Australia jumpers in 2008 after scoring an impressive 12 tries in 20 games for a forward.
Nathan Friend escaped the limelight of Cameron Smith after four years as his understudy at Melbourne, to become the Titans’ No.1 rake for five straight seasons. Friend was an absolute workhorse for his side, often racking up large tackle counts each game. Returned in 2016 for one final campaign and had one last shot at finals time.
Bailey arrived at the club, partnering Scott Prince as the co-captains, after establishing himself as one of the premier front-rowers in the game with the Dragons and in the NSW side. Spent eight years with the club and set the platform for fellow senior players to follow his lead and build a strong culture.
A brief stint at Catalans, where Bird currently plays, was cut short as he made the switch to the Gold Coast in 2010 in a brilliant coup for the club. Bird’s hole-running, defensive mongrel and ball-playing ability became a crucial factor in the Titans side and his club form brought him back into the representative frame for a number of years.
James debuted in 2010 and has built himself as a crucial leader at the Titans and a valued member of the forward pack. He has been on the cusp of a NSW debut for a number of years after his consistent performances stood out in a struggling side. Possesses a surprise eye for the try-line, having scored 30 in his career so far, with his tally of 12 in 2016, helping his side to a finals berth.
A player with the kind of defensive mindset and ability most teams would love on their side, Ash Harrison was an excellent addition to the Titans in their second season. A handy lock on his day, Harrison played with hunger and was an absolute workhorse, capped with good ball-playing ability as well.
The longest-serving Titan in terms of appearances, Minichiello left a Souths team in dire straits to jump on deck as an experienced back rower with the new club. Minichiello was an aggressive and rugged player and was highly important to the side, making 22 appearances or more in six of his eight seasons.
In five seasons on the Gold Coast, Douglas only missed four matches as he kept the image as one of the fittest and most clean-cut players in the league, avoiding injury and suspension to a tee. Douglas was a prop that would always go about his work with no fuss and was extremely unlucky to experience finals footy as little as he did.
Meyers spent a couple of seasons in the English super league before jumping on board with the Titans in 2007. Meyers was a solid addition, with 102 games worth of experience with Brisbane as well as previous experience with QLD and Australia. Ended his Titans career with an impressive 60% win record, despite only two of his five seasons at the club resulting in top eight finishes.
Beaten to the wing spots by Anthony Don and David Mead, Gordon easily rounds out the top three wingers that the Titans have ever seen play for their club. Gordon debuted in '09 and swiftly showed how devastating he was with his pace. Endured a difficult early end to his career through injury but achieved at least 10 tries in a season on four occasions.
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