Gold Coast prop Keenan Palasia has lit the fuse for a spicy encounter with his former teammates by declaring the forward pack he has joined is every bit as good as the one he left behind at Brisbane.
"I believe so," Palasia said.
"As a professional athlete, we'd be dumb to not have that competitive edge thinking we weren't. Realistically, we definitely have the pack."
Gold Coast first face the Broncos in round 12 of this season's NRL, when Palasia's assessment will be put to the test.
The 27-year-old left a pack that had Australia Test forwards Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas leading the way, but when Palasia looks left and right at the Titans he sees quality everywhere.
The Samoa international will play alongside Queensland powerhouses Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, David Fifita and Moeaki Fotuaika.
"Hopefully I can slot in and help them," he said.
"Even our bench forwards are going to be just as good."
Palasia lives with Broncos young-gun hooker Blake Mozer and the banter between the pair is already flying thick and fast
"I've got him tucked under my wing," Palasia grinned.
"He is into me, letting us know the Titans didn't make the finals last year.
"I get back into him and let him know he's only played one NRL game."
Palasia came off the bench for the Broncos in the 2023 grand final but is eyeing a starting spot at Gold Coast.
"I've been training in the 13 jersey, but wherever (coach) Des Hasler wants me to play I'll fit in," he said.
"It's a similar role to what I was doing at the Broncos when I did come on the field.
"It's more of a ball-playing role but also not forgetting my running game is my strongest suit.
"I learned a lot from (Carrigan). He is a year younger than me so it was weird learning and taking tips from him, but in my opinion he's the best 13 in the competition at the moment."
For Palasia, the move to the Titans was a homecoming. He was in their system as a 13-year-old and attended Gold Coast league powerhouse Palm Beach Currumbin High.
"I was in the junior system and back then I always saw myself playing NRL in a Gold Coast Titans jersey, never really in a Broncos jersey," he said.
"Now I get to finally do that. How it panned out, I wouldn't change it for the world.
"I got to play in a grand final for the Broncos and now I still get to put on my home-town jersey as well."
