It might have taken 10 rounds and a heart-stopping finish for the Titans to collect their second win of 2024, but that doesn't look like stopping Gold Coast's forwards from making their mark on the Origin arena.
Moeaki Fotuaika, who featured in two games of the Origin series last year, reminded Queensland selectors of what he can do with with 161 run metres and 70 post-contact metres, setting the tone for his side's 20-18 win over the Cowboys.
Fellow Maroons hopefuls David Fifita and Beau Fermor also stood tall to potentially leave the Titans with three Queensland representatives despite injuries to Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and AJ Brimson.
“I'd love to play Origin, but for me, it's just about playing well for the Titans and if I can do that, then hopefully that'll put me in a good position to be there playing in the Origin arena,” Fotuaika said.
“But first and foremost, my focus is just to play good footy here at the Titans and I'm sure that's the main focus for the other boys as well.”
“I think our forwards have been outstanding," captain Kieran Foran said after the game. "Moey’s been great, Jimmy Jolliffe, outstanding. Beau Fermor, he played out of position, he had to play in the centres and I thought defensively he was great and he carried the ball really well.
David Fifita Try
"We have got guys that are certainly in the frame for Origin and I’m sure they’ll be rewarded, no doubt."
The result came after an eventful week for the club with news Fifita would depart at season's end to join the Roosters from 2025.
“I thought Dave was really good tonight, especially after the week that he's had. It's been a really big week for him, but all the boys fully support him and as well as the coaching staff, we're all behind him and that's footy sometimes," Fotuaika said.
“As much as I'm disappointed that he's leaving, I'm also happy for him. I am happy with whatever he does and he's one of my good mates and it’s sad that he's leaving, but as I said before, I'm really happy for him.”
The rugby league rollercoaster is far from over for the Titans however, despite their losing streak and contract news now seemingly in the rear view mirror.
Their latest concern will be who dons the six and seven with Foran and Brimson joining Jayden Campbell, Tanah Boyd and Tom Weaver in the casualty ward – leaving the halves cupboard completely bare heading into Magic Round.
The Titans' try-savers handed them the win
“We're missing a lot of halves, but I'll just stick to front row, just keep it simple,” Fotuaika said with a wry smile.
“Our past month of footy has been really good; we've been mixing it with the good teams and we just need to just fix up a few things when momentum's against us.
"I felt like we held on when they had all the momentum, so positive signs for us and we just need to keep carrying it on into next week.”
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