Gold Coast's milestone men hope for good times ahead

As he prepares to suit up for his 100th game this week, Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has reaffirmed his commitment to the club, saying he looking forward good times ahead.

Fa’asuamaleaui missed almost all of last season with an ACL injury and has come back this year with a renewed vigour, but unfortunately for Gold Coast fans, a season that started with promise with two early back-to-back wins now sees the side heading to Newcastle hoping to avoid a sixth straight defeat.

Last week, the side fell to the Bulldogs 38-18 in a game there they nearly matched the top-of-the-ladder team in tries, scoring four tries to six, a remarkable effort given their halfback Tom Weaver was ruled out of the game with a head knock in the fifth minute.

“It was, obviously in any team when a halfback goes down, it's a bit of a shock, but I thought Randy (Chris Randall) tried his hardest there," Fa'asuamaleaui said. 

“Again, the effort was really good, but we have just got to get some detail right, but stuff like that happens, we just got to adapt and overcome.

“For sure, I think (it’s the lapses) that are hurting us is probably ourselves at times.

“The Bulldogs are a very good footy team and whenever you give them a lot of ball or give it to them on parts of the field where they can really capitalise on it, really hurts us.

"But I thought the effort was there, it's just detail with us as individuals and as a collective that we need to get right to get a win.

“I’m definitely confident (good times are ahead), that’s why I’ve stayed here for so long.

“I back the coach and everyone involved in this squad to get us there. I’m happy I made the decision (to stay long-term).

“I’m doing everything I can to change this club and make it a winning culture and strong club to compete with in the NRL.

“I’m not backing out of anything. I’m in it for it all, through the hard times and the good times hopefully in the future.”

This week’s Women in League game against Newcastle will also be the 150th game for front row mainstay Moeaki Fotuaika, who has once again been one of the side's most reliable performers.

Both Fotuaika and Fa’asuamaleaui will be in the mix for Origin call ups when Maroons coach Billy Slater names the squad in a few weeks, but for now, the focus is on breaking their recent run of outs.

“We'll find out soon with time, but, I think for me, as team we haven't been going well, but I think what I can control is my performance,” Fotuaika said.

“I wouldn't say I've been setting the world on fire with my performances, but I know I've been doing the little things right, and that's a big focus for me going into each game is nailing those effort plays.

“I'm not too sure whether I'll get picked, but for me, I'm just going to focus on doing my role here at the Titans and controlling what I can control and that's playing good footy for this team and then hopefully we can get some results in our favour.”

While Weaver is sidelined following his head knock and backrower David Fifita has been ruled out indefinitely as he seeks medical advice for an ongoing ankle complaint; the Titans have been given an injury reprieve with the return of Jayden Campbell to the line-up. Winger Jojo Fifita is back on deck after missing last week with an arm infection.