Senior coach Craig Hodges is adamant Tyrone Peachey has a long-term future on the Gold Coast after naming him to replace Ash Taylor in the halves against the Dragons on Saturday.
With Taylor having been sent back to play for Tweed Seagulls in the Intrust Super Cup to build physically for a return to the NRL, Hodges says Peachey has a great chance to show what he's capable of.
It will be the 15th time in his career he has started a match in the halves.
One of Gold Coast's key off-season recruits, the 2018 Origin representative has failed to have the impact many expected.
The deterioration of his relationship with deposed coach Garth Brennan had led to speculation he would leave the club prior to the June 30 transfer deadline.
Since returning from a left pectoral injury in round 19, Peachey has played with more positive intent which has led Gold Coast officials to believe he will remain with the club for the 2020 season.
Dragons v Titans - Round 21
How he fits into the makeup of Justin Holbrook's 17 will be a decision for the new coach but given his improved attitude, Hodges has no doubt Peachey can contribute next season and beyond.
"Absolutely, 100 per cent," was Hodges assessment when asked whether Peachey had a future at the club.
"He's been outstanding. He was really keen to play five-eighth when the opportunity came.
"When we were scratching our heads a little bit and wondering who we had left he was super keen to jump into that position.
"He jumped in feet first at training and helped lift the energy of what we were trying to bring."
Peachey collects Taylor's grubber
Peachey played the first nine games in the centres but has featured in the starting side just once since, lasting just 12 minutes in the second row against the Warriors in round 14 before suffering the pec injury.
The versatility that helped him make three appearances for NSW has at times counted against Peachey at club level when it comes to him finding a position to call home.
"I'm not sure what one position is his position but he can certainly play every position," Hodges said.
"You could put 'Peach' at fullback or put him at prop in the same game and he'll do a great job for you in both positions.
"There's a frustration at times perhaps because he's a footballer, he wants to play. Any time he’s sitting on the bench or he’s watching he feels like he's not contributing.
"He just wants to get out and play. Run and pass and tackle and do all those fun things. He wants to be in the game and he wants to be part of what we're doing.
I'm not sure what one position is his position but he can certainly play every position
Craig Hodges on Tyrone Peachey
"It's not a matter of him not buying into what the team wants or the team needs, it's the other side.
"Rather than being a negative it's a positive that he wants to be a part of the game and sitting on the bench he feels wasted."
On Taylor, Hodges conceded that bringing Taylor back against the Roosters may have been unfair on the young No.7.
"I think it's unfair to put him out there when he's physically not ready and just needs a little bit more work,” Hodges said.
"If that happens quickly then he'll play quickly but if it takes a while then it will take a while.
"There is no set timeframe and there's nothing sinister behind it, it's just that we probably need to hold him back from himself a little bit at the moment until he is right.
"Obviously there's a fair bit of scrutiny in our game and a fair bit of scrutiny on the position that he plays so to throw him out there well underdone like we did last week, in hindsight is probably unfair on him."
In a further blow to the Titans, hooker Nathan Peats will miss a week due to a knee injury suffered in the 58-6 loss to the Roosters last Sunday. Mitch Rein will start at hooker.
