It's day one as a Titan for Sam Verrills and even though he hasn't set foot on the training field yet, the new recruit is focussed on hard work.
Reporting for duty at Parkwood, Verrills pulled on the 2023 playing jersey for the first time as he prepares to join his new team mates for pre-season training tomorrow.
"First day in the jersey, I've always loved these colours ... I'm so happy to be up here and I can't wait to rip in with the lads.
"I can't wait to represent the Gold Coast area."
Verrills is expected to be in the number nine come round one, but the hooker says he wants to earn his jersey and the respect of his new team mates.
"It's appealing (the opportunity) but I've also got to work for my job, it's not guaranteed," he said.
"I can't wait to rip in at training and prove to the lads here that I can be the number nine here for a while.
"I promise you I will put my best foot forward to cement this number nine spot."
Asked to describe his game and the way he wants to play, again Verrills turns to hard work.
"I like to run the ball and I like to run and defend as much as I can as a hooker.
"I've got cauliflower ears, so you can tell I'm a tough competitor.
"I'm really trying to come up here and bring that tough edge ... I'll be doing my best for the boys and really ripping in.
"I'm not the biggest guy, but I'll bring my toughness and whatever the players want me to do I'll do.
"I was really happy with my game last year, but there is always room for improvement but I can't wait to form combinations with the players here and really showcase that next year for the Legion."
He may have only been on the Coast for a week so far, but Verrills says he has already noticed the passion from Titans Members and fans.
"I can't wait to meet the Legion, it is going to be exciting to see the fans and Members and I can't wait to be part of this culture up here," he said.
"There's a big fan base up here on the Goldy and I've noticed it ... I can't wait to show them how keen I am to play for this club and do them proud and represent the club well."
Verrills will link with former Roosters team mate Isaac Liu, while it'll be a new experience joining the rest of the Titans roster.
"I played a few years with Isaac Liu and I've very close to him ... I haven't played with anyone else.
"It's a young group that we've got here but there is NRL experience out there.
"I've had a little bit to do with the players already, they've all welcomed me, they're good lads and I can't wait to get started with them.
"I caught up with AJ (Brimson) on the weekend and had a little look around the area, the Gold Coast is a beautiful place and I'm happy I'm settled in for a good couple of years up here."
While highlighting the attacking threats that the likes of Brimson and Jayden Campbell bring, it's the Titans forward pack that has Verrills excited.
"It's a very very good forward pack and coming up against them, they're very tough," he said.
"I can't wait to add my game to this pack and play alongside them as well.
"Tino (Fa'asuamelaui), Moe (Fotuaika), Dave (Fifita) and Isaac Liu are all overseas (at the World Cup), so they've got a lot of experience at the international and State of Origin level so it's a good place for me and I can't wait to rip in."
