While I've never been a fan of having a team on the Gold Coast as it has failed time and time again over many years.
Sure, they have their core group of supporters but it's a holiday destination first and foremost and big-name players, at the end of their careers join them for that very reason, play NRL on big $$$$$ with a team made up of various players from a host of other clubs, on a holiday destination for many.
Yes, they can be competitive and have been a bogey team for us but they're going to struggle winning a premiership unless they can sign a marquee player or two to a 5 plus year contract.
Wally Lewis couldn't help them. Fifita looked like being part of a premiership team when playing for the Broncos then went for the big $$$$$ on offer at the Titans, which you couldn't blame him for, but hasn't been anywhere near as effective at the Titans.
That said I feel they'll play Finals footy within the next 2 years, that is, make the 8. Why? They're building a very handy side, nowhere near premiership material but the inclusion of Foran, Schoupp, Verrills and the resigning of Fermor and Jojo Fifita plus established players like Brimson, Tanah Boyd, Toby Sexton, Campbell, Tino, Fotuaika and David Fifita in his last year they'll be more than nuisance value for a lot of teams.
Holbrook will only get better with a better roster, and they did finish the 2022 season off well winning 3 of the last 4 games to finish one spot behind us. Holbrook had great success as a coach in England at St Helens and he's also from Canterbury-Bankstown heartland, having played for Milperra Colts in his junior years.
