Gold Coast Titans 2024 season review
Overview
The Titans limped to a second-straight 14th-placed finish in 2024, although they picked up one less win than they did in the previous year.
They started the season with six straight losses, but stopped the rot with a 24-27 win over the Warriors in Auckland.
They hammered the same opponents 66-6 in round 16 – a result which was the biggest win in their history. That victory sparked a brief upturn in fortunes as they won four of the next five and had half an eye on the top eight, but five straight losses to end the year killed any faint hopes they had of a finals spot.
Highs
The 66-6 win over the Warriors in round 16 was a record-breaking score for the Titans, while a few individuals had career-best seasons.
None more so than winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira, who topped the NRL try-scoring charts with 24 in just 21 games. His try against the Broncos in round 22 saw him become the first player since 1962 to score 40 tries in his first 40 games in the top grade. A Queensland jumper looks a distinct possibility in 2025 if he keeps this form up next year.
20-year-old Keano Kini also established himself as the first choice full-back in the second half of the season. So much so, that previous incumbent Jayden Campbell is likely to remain in the halves for the foreseeable future.
David Fifita had a relatively strong year too, albeit a little inconsistent at times, while veteran half-back Kieran Foran rolled back the years and bagged 15 try assists in his 21 games.
Lows
Six straight losses to start the year left the Titans with an uphill battle for a top eight finish.
And, while some of their attacking play was scintillating at times, they conceded more than 27 points per game on average, giving them the fourth-worst-defence in the NRL.
Captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was also a big loss for them. The giant prop only played twice all year with his last appearance coming in round three.
Reasons to be positive in 2025
For starters, big Tino will hopefully be fit in time for the new campaign, which will make a big difference. The Titans’ young guns will be better for getting a year’s worth of first grade footy under their belts as well, so if they can just tighten up defensively, they’ll be one of several teams with an eye on the top eight.
They lost six games by single digits in 2024, as well. Turn a few of those scores on their head, and the Titans could find themselves pushing up the ladder in 2025.
My 2024 prediction – 16th
Final 2024 position – 14th (+2)
Gold Coast exceeded my expectations this year, although as I suspected they were never serious contenders for the finals. Still, I hadn’t expected to see Kieran Foran’s renaissance or the emergence of talented youngsters like Keano Kini, so there’s a good chance they’ll push on again next year.
