Gold Coast’s impressive NRL win over Sydney Roosters didn’t just end a five-match losing run, it’s got the club thinking about ending its finals drought.

The Titans moved within a game of the top eight after their 26-6 victory over the hapless Roosters as they try to secure a finals berth for the first time since 2010.

While the season is only 10 matches old, Titans prop David Shillington says the club was entering a crucial phase of their campaign.

Having halted a run of defeats which threatened to put them out of touch with the finals contenders, the Titans now head to Penrith this weekend for a tough clash with the seventh-placed Panthers.

The Titans then have the bye and Shillington says that makes a win this weekend doubly important.

“Win this weekend, get the bye the following week, it’s a four point turnaround and we could easily be sitting in the eight,” Shillington said.

“We definitely want to play finals footy this year. I’ve played a few times and it’s a lot of fun. For the boys that haven’t it’s something they should look forward to.

“I know as a team, that’s our goal.”

The Titans will head south with recruit Nathan Peats set to debut off the bench.

The former Parramatta hooker will have just two on-field training sessions with his new teammates but Shillington is confident that should be enough to get him up to speed.

“Nathan won’t be on the field the whole time, I’m sure Friendy (Nathan Friend) will still have a leading role at hooker and ease Nathan into the game,” he said.

“Plenty of time to work it out.”