Titans playmaker throws support behind embattled head coach

Gold Coast halfback Toby Sexton has thrown his support behind under-pressure coach Justin Holbrook, saying there’s no question among the struggling NRL club’s playing group about his future.

The Titans are undertaking a mid-season review after a campaign which began with lofty ambitions but has quickly derailed with just three wins so far in 2022 leaving them in danger of a third wooden spoon in the club’s history.

While Holbrook remains at the helm and is understood to have the support of the club’s owners, the decision to hand the keys to a young spine featuring 21-year-old Sexton and an ongoing seven-game losing run has done little to ease the pressure at Parkwood.

“He’s unreal,” Sexton said of Holbrook.

“He’s got that real care factor for this playing group and he gives us all the knowledge and equipment to be able to go out there and perform.

“He’s a great coach and he’s definitely the coach moving forward, us as players all back him and we think he’s the right man.”

While Holbrook is still in his position, the club has already parted ways with assistant Jim Dymock and high performance chief Klint Hoare in recent weeks.

Sexton says those departures have only highlighted the disappointment in Gold Coast’s 2022 performance.

“This whole club is under pressure with kind of the situation we’re in at the moment,” he said.

“We’ve just got to deal with it as best as we can and look after ourselves in a sense.

“The more we can focus on ourselves as individuals and trying to get ourselves right, it’s going to help our performances come the weekend.”

Sexton has been an ever-present in the No.7 jersey for the Titans this season but has been denied the chance to form a halves pairing with Gold Coast already playing AJ Brimson, Will Smith and Paul Turner at five-eighth this season.

In last weekend’s derby against Brisbane, it was Tanah Boyd who wore the No.6 jersey and it’s a pairing that will be retained for Sunday’s game against Canterbury.

Another off-field role at the Titans that has come under scrutiny in recent times is the influence of culture boss Mal Meninga.

Sexton said while many may not witness the role Meninga plays behind closed doors, it had been crucial at times in his own development.

“He’s got a massive impact with the players,” he said.

‘He’s a very approachable guy given the position he’s in as well.

“He’s achieved everything in the game and I definitely turn to him a lot when when I need to, and he’s really good on giving advice and that.”