Under-fire Gold Coast halfback Ashley Taylor is ready to start NRL's Magic Round by casting a spell over Cronulla.
The Titans face the Sharks on Thursday night in the first match of the inaugural Magic Round, which will feature all eight games being played at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.
With captain Tyrone Roberts ruled out due to a concussion suffered in last weekend's loss to North Queensland in Townsville, the Titans will be looking to Taylor to give them the on-field direction required for a much-needed win.
Taylor has been criticised for playing a secondary role to Roberts this season and admits he's been below his best as the Titans have slumped to 14th with just two wins.
"I picked up a few niggles at the start of the year and it's tough coming off the back of it," Taylor told AAP.
"It's been hard to find that form again I know I'm capable of. I'm just not 100 per cent trusting my body right now."
When Roberts was taken off the field against the Cowboys, Taylor was forced to take on a primary playmaker role and Titans performance and culture head Mal Meninga believed that was the best thing for the 24-year-old's form.
"I thought he had one of his better games last Friday night for a long time," Meninga said.
"He's on the up and he drew a lot of confidence out of that game, had to take control when Tyrone went off late in the second half and he did a pretty good job."
Taylor will partner youngster AJ Brimson in the halves while Dale Copley returns on the wing for Phil Sami and Jesse Arthars will make his NRL debut from the bench.
The Sharks head north after their injury-hit squad claimed a shock win over Melbourne last weekend and have already beaten the Titans once this season.
Gold Coast coach Garth Brennan, who refused to label this match as must-win for his team's finals hopes, believed criticism of Taylor had been somewhat over the top.
"He doesn't need to prove anything to me. He just needs to go out there and focus on his own game," Brennan said.
"He's been playing some decent football. He's just lacked a little bit of confidence with the injuries that he's had.
"I think he's over that now and I'm really looking forward to him really putting his stamp on the game."
KEY MATCH STATS
* Josh Dugan appears to be sending out a pre-Origin message to NSW coach Brad Fittler, with 174 metres from 16 runs in the Sharks' win over Melbourne last weekend.
* Neither team has a great record at Suncorp Stadium, the Titans winning five of 21 matches in Brisbane and Cronulla victorious in just five of 19 matches at the venue.
* Expect it to be tight with eight of the past 10 games between Gold Coast and Cronulla decided by six points or less.
