Penrith back-rower Elijah Taylor has paid tribute to Gold Coast's tough NRL playing culture ahead of the sides' round two clash in Bathurst on Saturday.
The Titans put their cocaine scandal to one side last Saturday in a heart-breaking final second 19-18 loss to Wests Tigers.
The Titans' off-field dramas remain on-going this week, but Taylor says they have shown through their tough, grinding style of play, similar to what they employed last year, they are still a tough side to beat.
"It's a credit to the team culture at the Titans, they have their dramas going on off the field but the dressing room is still a tight unit," Taylor said at training on Wednesday.
"And that shows their character that they turn up for each other and play that grinding style.
"So I'm sure they won't be concerned with anything off the field they will be only concerned about their job for their team and so will we.
"We will be doing everything we can to prepare well and go out and play hard this weekend."
Taylor said shutting down inspirational Titans captain Nate Myles would be crucial to the Panthers securing back-to-back wins to start the season, after their round one defeat of Canterbury.
"He is their leader, he plays tough Origin and all that," Taylor said.
"Defensively we just have to get off our line put our bodies in front of him, slow him down and work hard.
"He is a competitor, a really tough bloke, we need to be on our game to shut them down because he creates a lot of what they do."
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