Tanah Boyd will be wasting no time in his quest to retain the Titans' No. 7 jersey, confirming he will feature in next Sunday's first trial against the Broncos.
Finishing 2022 with three wins from the last four games in the halfback position, the time to shine has arrived for the 39-game playmaker, who many have tipped to remain as the Coast' chief linchpin for the season opener.
Match: Broncos v Titans
Round 1 -
home Team
Broncos
8th Position
away Team
Titans
9th Position
Venue: Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast
With the next two pre-season trial matches between the Broncos and Dolphins the chance for coach Justin Holbrook to finalise his top 17 for Round 1 - including locking in the spine which is yet to be decided - the 22-year-old will be in the thick of it from the opening whistle at Sunshine Coast Stadium to prove his case in the hotly-contested battle.
"I'll be playing a little bit next Sunday against the Broncos, so I'm really looking forward to that," Boyd confirmed on 4BC's Wide World of Sports.
"There's so much competition for spots and that's what's been so healthy about this pre-season.
"It's going to be a good headache to have for the coaches and us as players have to perform in the trials and at training every day.
"It's been really good so far and I can't wait to play some footy."
Whilst not expecting to partner new recruit Kieran Foran this week with the experienced playmaker likely put on ice until the Titans' major trial against the Dolphins in a fortnight, the 39-game half has enjoyed learning off the adept professional in his first month at Parkwood.
"I've loved [having him here]," Boyd said.
"I grew up watching Foz play, so to have him at the club now and the fact I can just pick his brains and learn off him, it's pretty cool and I love doing it.
"He's been so good for the young fellas in the club. He's so willing to help anyone and share his knowledge and experience and that's what I love about him.
"He sits and does video with a lot of the boys and shows them little bits and pieces that we need to get better on. He just wants success and it's so good to have him at the club.
"We've got along pretty well and hopefully we can try and build a combination if I get that seven role."
There is now an heir of eagerness among the playing squad with the final countdown on to kick-off, after a relentless summer of preparation to turn around last year's disappointing results.
"It's been a pretty tough pre-season. We definitely weren't comfortable with where we finished last year at 13th," Boyd said.
"We are striving for bigger and better things. We want to be up there in the top four teams and I believe we have the squad to do that.
"Footy's not far away now and the boys are itching to get out there and show what we've been doing in the pre-season."
