They may be two of the Gold Coast’s big name recruits heading into the 2019 season, but neither Shannon Boyd or Tyrone Peachey has been guaranteed a start at the Titans next year.
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In fact, coach Garth Brennan has thrown down the gauntlet to his entire squad this pre-season.
"If you are going to pull that Titans jersey on in round one you are going to have earned it,” Brennan said at Titans training on Monday.
A Wellington Cowboyus junior, Peachey is an incumbent NSW Blues gun while Boyd, who played his junior footy with the Cowra Magpies before linking with Canberra, has donned the green and gold of Australia.
Still, Brennan said reputations count for little on the Gold Coast this summer.
"[The round one side] may not be finalised until that last trial,” he continued.
"The players are aware of that as well and it has shown in how they have approached each training session and their diet. They understand there are no walk-up starts at the Gold Coast Titans like there may have been in the past.
“The guys are looking around the depth of the squad and realising the competition is pretty fierce and they are determined not to give their own teammates an even break.”
Shannon Boyd, Jarrod Wallace, Ryan James, Kevin Proctor and Jai Arrow head a forward pack that includes a rejuvenated Bryce Cartwright and rising stars Moeaki Fotuaika and Keegan Hipgrave.
While Peachey is touted as a possible halves partner for boom halfback Ash Taylor, the Wellington Cowboys junior is more than capable of playing in the centres, too.