Even Gold Coast boss David May can understand why bookmakers have written off the Titans’ 2013 NRL premiership hopes.

Captain Scott Prince’s sensational off-season departure left a gaping hole in the halves that ensured Gold Coast are among the wooden-spoon favourites.

But May prefers to look on the positive side, insisting their perceived weakness can provide their “X-factor” this year.

Albert Kelly, Beau Henry and Jordan Rankin – the Titans players vying for Prince’s No.7 jersey – might not exactly be household names.

However, May reckons one could follow in the footsteps of once-unheralded halfbacks Adam Reynolds (Souths) and Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly) and make a name for themselves by season’s end.

“Our halfback will be an unknown but I think that is an advantage,” May said.

“They will be unpredictable and that’s what makes them dangerous.

“Look at Adam Reynolds. No one had really heard much of him but, last year, he became the name on everyone’s lips.

“I think our halfback this year will be our X-factor.”

The man expected to adopt that tag for the Titans this year – giant forward David Taylor – agreed with May.

Prince’s presence must have been a selling point to Taylor.

But he seemed far from fazed by Prince’s surprise defection to the Titans’ arch-rivals Brisbane.

“If anything, I am more excited about coming here,” Taylor said.

“A young halfback will be out to prove himself, make a name for himself, back himself. That makes me look forward to what they come up with this season.”

Prince’s departure might have been a major talking point ahead of the 2013 season kick-off, but not in the Titans camp according to a candid Rankin.

“It’s probably the elephant in the room at the moment – who is going to fill Scott Prince’s spot?” Rankin told AAP.

“But it was important that the club showed confidence in us young guys coming through and didn’t shop around (for a halfback).

“The spot is now there to be taken.”

The Titans opted not to brush off the cheque book and buy a big name No.7 to partner boom pivot Aidan Sezer.

It ensured Taylor remained their big-name signing for 2013.

But the off-season was arguably more about who the Titans missed out on.

Jamie Lyon, Michael Jennings and Mitchell Aubussen were among the big names who knocked back offers as Gold Coast looked to fill the vacancy created by the departure of centre Beau Champion.

Titans coach John Cartwright admitted their centre depth looked “a little thin”.

However, he dismissed speculation that it placed more pressure on the largely under-performing Jamal Idris to step up in 2013.

“We haven’t kicked a ball yet,” he said.

“But he (Idris) is where we want him to be.

“He hasn’t put a foot wrong. He will start fitter than he ever has.”

May insisted their season build-up was about holding onto what they had, rather than splashing cash at what they didn’t.

Queensland lock Ash Harrison, PNG flyer David Mead and Sezer all extended their Titans contracts in the off-season.

But their most treasured re-signing was Greg Bird.

The NSW and Test forward knocked back offers worth up to $150,000 a year more from at least two Sydney-based clubs to remain at the Titans until the end of 2017.

With Taylor’s arrival, the Titans pack is arguably the NRL’s most formidable, boasting the likes of Bird, Golden Boot finalist Nate Myles, Luke Bailey and boom youngster Ryan James.

Bird was named co-captain with Myles, capping a great comeback story after the pair arrived at the club with “NRL bad boy” tags.

And May believes the Titans can write their own fairytale in 2013, regardless of what the bookmakers say.