Panthers clash a step up for Titans

TITANS coach Garth Brennan believes Penrith will be the Gold Coast’s toughest opponents so far this year.

Brennan, a former Penrith lower grade coach, heads back to Panthers Stadium on Sunday for the first time as Gold Coast coach.

The Titans have been one of the surprise packets of the 2018 season under first-year NRL coach Brennan.

They upstaged the Broncos (12th) and Cowboys (14th) to be sitting sixth on the ladder.

A 46-point loss to the Dragons has been followed by wins against Brisbane and Manly.

Brennan said the Titans were showing the fighting qualities he promised.

“I never came out and said where we were going to finish or what we were going to do,” he said.

“I said as a team we would train hard, never give up, give everything we could and show some guts and determination.

“We’ve been doing that. Usually if a team does that, you have some success along the way.”