The Gold Coast Titans have shocked everyone this season, from Immortals, to club legends, opposing teams and fans of Rugby League in general.
The Titans have had an overwhelming impact on the 2016 NRL season being predicted by many journalists and media sites to finish as the dreaded wooden spoon winners. Throughout the process of the season they have refurbished their mental strength as a whole to commit and obtain a "never give up" attitude which not many teams withhold.
The key underlining reason for the positive attitude has been the confidence the young players have contributed to the playing roster. The likes of Ashley Taylor, Nene MacDonald and Agnatius Paasi have played with such confidence the experienced side of the roster are playing almost entirely out of their skin. The confidence of their attack has continually led Gold Coast to win which has enticed and produced fairly good defence throughout the competition too.
The defensive coaching the playing group have received has been greatly employed. The line in defence is straight and always rushing towards the attacking opponents, which limits the superstars of the game like Bryce Cartwright, Greg Inglis and most recently James Tedesco being able to receive the ball in space. This defensive technique has greatly reduced the attacking options of the opposing team. These superstars have suffered losses at the hands of the Titans due to not being able to outscore the opponent due to limited opportunity.
The enthusiasm in a rushing defensive method should obtain all credibility from the strength and conditioning staff at the Gold Coast. The preseason training was hell for the playing group enduring a trip to the Kokoda infantry barracks at Canungra. The training tested not only their physical and mental strength but their character right down to how they presented themselves after enduring a great deal of exhaustion while only having four hours of sleep in two days. This training formed bonds and foreshadowed the rosters determination and grit right through to now, the pointy end of the season.
Lastly the management of the club would have to achieve a 5 out of 5 star rating from everyone involved in the following of the NRL. The club has been able to hire well known, proven first graders mid season rather than before start of the journey. This has paid dividends to the clubs final chances, the talent in Konrad Hurrell, future NSW hooker Nathan Peats and the previous Dally M medalist Jarryd Hayne have all provided genuine attacking options and class to the rugged roster which contains a brilliant mix of experience and youth highlighting the club excels in man management.
The previous reasons mentioned; change in defensive methods, enthusiastic and confident attitude in defence/attack, man management and overall coaching by Neil Henry and staff have genuinely made the Gold Coast Titans into a probable premiership contender hence the title of "The unlikely competitors".