'Early blow' that could create 'issue' for livewire Titans

There are few faster teams across the turf than the Titans and veteran coach Des Hasler will be relying on that raw speed to produce a first finals berth since 2021. Keano Kini, Alofian Khan-Pereira, Brian Kelly, AJ Brimson, Jayden Campbell and Phil Sami are all noted sprinters capable of scoring length of the field tries and played some spectacular attacking football last season. Khan-Pereira was the leading try scorer in the league - quite an effort in a team that failed to qualify for finals football - and many rate him the fastest man in league. And with prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard signing up and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui back after missing virtually all of last season with an ACL rupture to bolster the pack, the Titans are a real chance of breaking their finals drought. The team has suffered an early blow with veteran Kieran Foran out with a biceps injury, which leaves Brimson and Campbell as the likely halves and while both are brilliant solo players, they lack Foran's organisation and experience and that could prove an issue. All eyes will be on rugby union convert Carter Gordon, a classy player who comes with a big reputation in the 15-a-side game and if he can reproduce his union form in our game, Gold Coast's final prospects will be even stronger. The forward pack is a potent mix of strike power and fear factor, with Campbell-Gillard joining the likes of Moeaki Fotuaika, David Fifita, Klese Haas and Fa'asuamaleaui. If they stay fit and firing - and Hasler can get the enigmatic Fifita to produce week in, week out - then beware the Titans!

2025 gains - Carter Gordon (rugby union), Sam Stephenson (development contract), Zane Harrison (development contract), Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Eels), Cooper Bai (train and trial).

2025 losses - Erin Clark (Warriors), Seth Nikotemo (Trinity Wakefield), Isaac Liu (Leigh Leopards), Joe Stimson (unsigned), Tanah Boyd (Warriors), Keenan Palasia (Leeds Rhinos).

Wallabies convert eyeing off 34-year first at Titans

Carter Gordon has the opportunity to become the first Wallabies playmaker in more than three decades to make a successful code switch to the NRL. The 23-year-old signed with the Titans mid-way through the year and will remain at the club for the next two seasons. Gordon played six games for Australia before making the transition to the 13-man code and now plans on locking down a starting role on the Gold Coast in 2025. While a lot of recent imports from union have been outside backs, Gordon will become the first half in 34 years to play first grade rugby league after previously playing international rugby union if he makes his debut next year. "I haven't played any rugby league growing up," Carter told The Sydney Morning Herald. "I watched a lot of it, but never made the transition or started in the game, purely because I was in a private school system all the way through. "I'm kinda the first half to do it. I'm quite excited by that, to see what I can bring, how my skill set from union might help the rugby league game and those sorts of things. "That was definitely appealing. Just the way the game is played is something that I enjoy watching. I always thought I'd end up in league." Gordon will be part of a tricky puzzle for coach Des Hasler next season, with plenty of viable options in the mix to partner veteran Kieran Foran. Tanah Boyd, AJ Brimson, Jayden Campbell and Tom Weaver all spent time in the halves this year, but Gordon is hopeful he can get the nod heading into round one. "I'd love to play in the halves," he said. "In saying that, I've definitely got to bide my time behind Foz and make sure I'm fully ready to go. "I'm working with him and the coaches in this pre-season to make sure I'm in a good spot and can run the team from those positions." Gordon scored four tries in four games for the Tweed Seagulls this year after inking his deal with the Titans, playing at centre and five-eighth.