Holbrook puts Titans on notice for season

TITANS centre Brian Kelly says some home truths from new coach Justin Holbrook have the playing group primed to make good on their NRL redemption quest in 2020.

Having steered St Helens to Super League success last year, Holbrook has taken the reins of a Gold Coast outfit still smarting from a 2019 season that yielded just four wins and a second wooden spoon.

Kelly, whose 23 appearances made him one of the Titans’ few success stories, said while Holbrook had wiped the slate clean after taking over from Garth Brennan, the players had been made well aware of the need to improve on last year’s efforts.

“Every new coach has got their little things that they work well with the players but I reckon just his one-on-one honesty and he’s upfront with everyone,” Kelly said of Holbrook’s most notable coaching traits.

“No position is safe at the moment, including myself. Everyone is fighting for positions. I’ve got Dale (Copley) and young Trey (Treymain Spry), who is coming up beyond me as well and is hot on my heels, so it just makes the team perform and work better for each other.

“(Justin) just wants to flush the last two years and start fresh and come in with a strong start to the season. I work well when he’s teaching me and keeping me learning every day at training.

“I had him in under-20s during my (time with the) Junior Kangaroos and he’s just an upfront, honest fellow and I work well with him.”

Preparing for his fourth year in the top grade after two seasons with Manly in 2017-18, Kelly said he had put a concerted focus on improving his defence.

“Definitely for myself, last year too many tries were leaked on the edges so we’re just finding our little groove and our processes in defence. Defence is a big key this preseason,” the 23-year-old said.