TITANS TEAM OF THE DECADE POSTER
WHICH LEGENDS WILL MAKE THE CUT? OUR PREDICTIONS ON
1. PRESTON CAMPBELL
The former Dally M medallist was a Mr Fix-it for the Titans, filling several positions but it was at fullback that he was most dangerous. The first man signed by the Titans, Campbell is an icon of the club not only for his performances on the field but the tone that he set off it. A player the younger guys looked up to.
4. JAMES ROBERTS
Lightning fast back who scored 21 tries in 36 games for the Titans to be the greatest strike centre in the club’s history. Left the club in controversial circumstances after the 2015 season following a contract forgery drama, heading north to the Broncos. Capable of magic when needed.
7. SCOTT PRINCE (C)
The Titans’ inaugural captain with Luke Bailey and captain of our team of the decade, Prince was a lock for the halfback position. The Queensland Origin representative was at the top of his powers when he joined the Titans and helped guide them to their best results in 2009 and 2010.
10. RYAN JAMES
The current Titans captain is an outstanding advertisement for the club. A Bilambil junior, James graduated from the under-20 ranks to the seniors to become the first local product to captain the club. Beats out some stiff competition to be named in the starting frontrow alongside Bailey.
13. ASHLEY HARRISON
Harrison played several roles during his time on the Gold Coast, used at fiveeighth, hooker and in the second-row. But he shone at lock, a position he also played for Queensland during their Origin decade of dominance. A serious neck injury forced his unfortunate retirement in 2014.
2. ANTHONY DON
Former Grafton Ghosts try-scoring whiz who forced his way from bush footy into the NRL. Has made the transition from fringe player to cult hero, with his aerial exploits over the past year making him a genuine threat and forcing our panel to choose him over Kevin Gordon. Can find his way to the line.
5. DAVID MEAD
The greatest tryscorer in club history, Mead was an automatic selection. The speedster was among the first of the Titans to graduate from the club’s under-20 ranks to become a regular first grader and was a fixture in the team until he left at the end of last season after playing 147 games.
8. LUKE BAILEY
Like Prince, Bailey was at the top of his game when he linked with the Titans and was one of its greatest warriors, turning out in 150 games for the club. A foundation captain with Prince, Bailey is a threetime winner of the Paul Broughton medal and arguably the club’s most consistent performer.
11. ANTHONY LAFFRANCHI
A defensive workhorse who eventually earnt State of Origin and Test honours from the Gold Coast. Laffranchi’s best years in the NRL were at the Titans, where he was a joint winner of the inaugural Paul Broughton medal with Luke Bailey. A member of the “100 club”, Laffranchi played 102 games.
14. NATE MYLES
A former Titans co-captain, Myles spent the golden period of his career on the Gold Coast. A winner of the Paul Broughton medal in 2012 – the same year he won the Wally Lewis medal as State of Origin player of the series – Myles played 75 games for the Titans before leaving for Manly.
3. JAMAL IDRIS
Will be a controversial inclusion but deserves it in a position that has been a problem area for the club in its first 10 years. His 35 games at the Titans were probably not among his best in the NRL but early on, he approached the form that saw him selected for NSW and Australia.
6. MAT ROGERS
Equally at home in the centres or the halves, Rogers is easily the best No.6 in club history and earns that spot in our team. A dual international, Rogers was picked up by the Titans after returning from rugby union and helped the game to within a win of a grand final in 2010 with an outstanding season.
9. NATHAN FRIEND
Friend’s association with the Titans looked as though it would end in tears when he left following the 2011 season after falling out with club officials. But he returned in 2016, captaining the club and underlining his position as the best hooker in club history. A tough player and strong in defence.
12. GREG BIRD
Bird is arguably the most polarising figure in club history, with a long list of off-field issues. But there’s no doubt he’s also one of the best players to have ever donned the jersey and represented the Titans with true passion. An Origin and Test representative during his time on the Coast, he deserves the spot.
15. MARK MINICHIELLO
A place had to be found for Minichiello, the Titans’ ironman, who is the club’s games record holder after making 173 appearances between 2007-2014. The second-rower was never a star but performed the most valuable role for the club, tirelessly doing the hard yards carting the ball up.
16. LUKE DOUGLAS
Another tireless performer for the club, Douglas won the Paul Broughton medal in 2015 after a stellar season. Brought great punch and stamina to the front-row but is just tipped out of the starting team by an all-star cast in Bailey and James. A tough player who did all the little things right on the field.
17. WILLIAM ZILLMAN
The long-time fullback earns the utility role on the bench due to his versatility as much as his reliability. Zillman has been another club Mr Fixit over the years, playing in almost every spot in the backline during times of injury and crisis. Nearing the end of his career at the club, Zillman has been a great servant.