Front-rower Sam Lisone respects deeply what the Warriors have done for the NRL but insists "there will be no best mates on Friday night" when the Titans host to his former club.
While a huge occasion for Lisone, it is also a massive night for Goodna Eagles product Treymain Spry who will make his debut on the wing after impressing in several scrimmage games for the reserves squad.
Lisone has played all eight NRL games since joining the Titans after growing up in New Zealand and playing 85 first-grade matches for the Warriors.
The 26-year-old forward was delighted to watch the Warriors beat the Broncos last week and has kept in touch with his former teammates since the club's decision to stay in Australia to keep the competition afloat.
All bets are off on Friday night though.
"They have given our game a chance, coming over here away from family most of them and being selfless," Lisone told NRL.com.
"I do feel sorry for them because some of my best mates are in that team, but we are not best mates on Friday night.
Titans v Warriors - Round 9
"I've been waiting around for this game. I knew when it was coming and made sure my body is ready. I have got a few niggles but when you come up against your old club that all goes out the window. You've just got to do it.
"Me, Ken Maumalo, David Fusitu'a, Jazz Tevaga … we all came through the grades and development programs from 16s through to first grade.
"Growing up all I thought about was being a one-club man but I fell out of favour, got an opportunity here and took it."
He took a punt, moving out of his comfort zone in New Zealand but has played so well he was offered a two-year extension after a handful of games.
"I came over here on a one-year deal and was pretty unsure about the future, so to get a two-year deal on top of that I was pretty stoked," he said.
"Justin [Holbrook] said he liked what I was bringing to the team but I know this is just the start of the hard work. Now we have to keep building.
"So many players come to the Gold Coast because it is a nice place to live but we have to get some results for the club."
The Titans have assembled a strong middle-forward rotation - Jai Arrow, the improving Jaiman Joliffe and inspirational 20-year-old Moeaki Fotuaika have impressed of late and Lisone continues the momentum from the bench.
"Moe [Fotuaika] is a man of few words but you can tell Moe is around because he just does his job," Lisone said.
Spry’s on the rise
"Moe is setting the benchmark for the forwards and we have to follow him and be up to his standards."
Holbrook said he was pleased to give Spry his NRL debut, a week after Beau Fermor starred in his first outing against Cronulla.
"He is a great young player and in the couple of scrimmage games that we have played against other clubs he has done really well," Holbrook said.
"Last week against the Sharks he scored three tries in the scrimmage we played against them, so he is obviously a really good young talent coming through and we obviously need a specialist outside back.
"We have got a couple of makeshift centres tomorrow night – back-rowers [Fermor and Bryce Cartwright] – so I needed someone who could play wing and Treymain can do that so it's good timing for him."