With the โ€˜hit and giggle' trail matches and the arduous pre-season training regimes now behind each team, fans, coaches, and players alike have set their sights on the real deal โ€“ Round 1.

For some clubs, the pre-season period could not have panned out better, whilst the unlucky remainder will be counting the cost of their campaigns.

Although there were a myriad of positives to be taken from the summer months, all teams will be striving to improve on their trail match form and learn from the lessons dealt out across them.

With the first spin of the Steeden within touching distance, we raise the big question that face each of the NRL's 16 clubs.

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Gold Coast Titans

Will their consistent inconsistency cease?

Despite their history of perennial failings, the Gold Coast Titans have been widely tipped to be one of the competition's biggest improvers in 2021.

With the additions they have secured over the Summer, it isn't hard to see why.

Although the Parkwood based franchise lost Origin lock Jai Arrow to the Bunnies, they more than strengthened their back row by acquiring both David Fifita and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui.

Following a first year with the club that saw him boost Queensland's ugly duckling to the fringe of the eight, the pressure will be on coach Justin Holbrook to not only repeat these heroics, but better them.

However, we are sure that he and his playing roster will welcome the challenge.

The Titans' surge towards finals football last season came off the back of five straight victories to conclude the year โ€“ an equal club record.

Can they pick up where they left off and shake off their previous issues with inconsistency? The bookies think so, with many starting the Titans as 5th or 6th favourite to take out the title.

With their first five games to be played in the Sunshine State, Holbrook could not have asked for a better draw to both add to his side's streak and to continue garnering respect throughout the competition.

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