Gold Coast face a daunting last fixture before their underwhelming season draws to a close this week as they take on Penrith.
The reigning premiers bounced back from a two-game losing streak last week to ease to a comfortable 34-12 victory over South Sydney.
The win assured them of yet another top-four finish on the ladder as they seek to capture a fourth-straight premiership in October.
NRL LATEST NEWS: NRL live ladder | Every NRL club's updated injury list | Every NRL fixture and result for each club
Des Hasler wary of Panthers threat as Titans trudge towards finish line
The Titans brutally axed Justin Holbrook midway through last season in order to bring Des Hasler on board in 2024.
The veteran coach was tasked with delivering titles to the Gold Coast with a five-year strategy put in place upon his appointment.
However, things haven’t gone to plan on the Glitter Strip this season with the club losing their inspirational skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui to an ACL injury in the early weeks of the campaign.
Despite recovering from the Tino setback and six losses to begin Hasler’s reign, the Titans are in the all-too-familiar position of planning their post-season holidays in early September.
Yet before the club takes a break and then heads back into what is sure to be a gruelling pre-season program under the former Manly and Canterbury mentor, the Titans must face the Panthers.
The club whose success Hasler is expected to emulate in the ensuing years.
MORE: Bulldogs forward reveals Andrew Webster bust-up during Warriors exit
"It’ll be a tough game," the coach said.
"It’s old boys’ week down there and obviously sends-offs for Jarome Luai and James Fisher-Harris.
"But at the same time, we’ve spoken about it during the week, and we want to go down there and really compete. We’ve got to compete hard for the full 80 minutes."
Hasler remained tight-lipped on his plans for what was to come after the game, with the Titans assured of a finish in the bottom four regardless of the result.
Although he was confident the club was heading in the right direction even though they have one less win to show on their record compared to last year.