We will be competitive: Titans

William Zillman says the the Gold Coast Titans are confident of shaking off the cocaine scandal that has rocked the club and being competitive this NRL season.

The Titans will open their season against the Wests Tigers at Cbus Super Stadium next Saturday minus five players who have received court summons on drugs charges.

Greg Bird, Dave Taylor, Beau Falloon, Kalifa Faifai Loa and Jamie Dowling have been stood down after being caught up in a Crime and Corruption Commission investigation into a cocaine ring.

The club received some assurance this week after the NRL took over ownership of the club.

Fullback Zillman became the first Titans player to face the press when he appeared at the NRL season launch at the Sydney Opera House on Thursday and moved to assure fans the side’s season is not over before it begins.

“The club is bigger than a couple of players,” Zillman said.

“What we’re doing is looking forward to round one, we need to move on from this and prepare for a rugby league game … we will be competitive.”

Zillman said he had spoken to the five players and they were holding up well.

“I have spoken to them, they are going through a tough time, but I’m just here representing the club and we’ve got a football game to focus on,” he said.

Zillman said the side needed to take inspiration from Cronulla, whose 2014 season was ruined by the ASADA investigation into its supplements program but came out the other side.

“It’s been a tough week but we need to show true grit and come through it on the other side,” he said.

“And play good football and that’s what we’ll do.”

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