It's only a pre-season trial but Brisbane forward Ashton Sims is excited about leading an inexperienced Broncos outfit against an experimental Gold Coast line-up at Kougari Oval in Wynnum on Saturday night.

After earning good reviews for his role as Fiji's World Cup captain, Sims said it was an honour to be handed the Broncos captaincy for the first time.

"It's a young squad and there probably wasn't too many guys to choose from, but I'm proud to do it," said Sims who turns 24 at the end of the month.

"I know it's only a trial, but I'm rapt."

Outstanding youngsters Gerard Beale, Alex Glenn, flying winger Jharal Yow Yeh, Wynnum local David Georgio and halfback discovery Ben Hunt will fill in for the likes of Karmichael Hunt, Justin Hodges, Darren Lockyer and Peter Wallace.

Likewise the Titans have handed starts to speed merchants Shannon Walker and Jordan Atkins, centre Esi Tonga, PNG World Cup find David Mead and young halves Jordan Rankin and Brad Davis who'll deputise for the likes of Preston Campbell, Mat Rogers and Scott Prince.

Titans coach John Cartwright has added utility William Zillman to his 26-man squad after the former Canberra whiz passed all his fitness criteria following another major knee operation.

Zillman, 20, one of the game's most exciting attackers, has signed a four-year deal with the Titans following a horror run of leg injuries.

"He'll probably have a run tomorrow, he's passed all his criteria to play," said Cartwright, unsure where Zillman will eventually play.

"It'll only be 15 or 20 minutes, he just wants to get out there and see how the knee feels under game conditions.

"If it's really wet and miserable it might not be the right idea to risk him."

Trial coach Paul Green said the focus in the coming weeks with more trials against Canberra and Melbourne would be to get some hard work into Brisbane's forwards.

"We're trying to give some of our NRL forwards a real good hit out and a chance to get some match fitness," said Green.

All eyes will be on highly-rated Dragons recruit Lagi Setu, tipped to fill the role vacated by retired lock Tonie Carroll.

Setu is already being talked about as an Origin outsider.

Ex-Tiger Ben Te'o is another newcomer who has created big expectations, while former centre Will Tupou is pushing for a first grade spot in the back-row after being converted from the centres.

"The way we play up here suits their style," Sims said of Setu and Te'o.

Teenage No.7 Hunt should blossom this season under Henjak, Green and champion Allan Langer - all ex-halfbacks of some repute.

"Ben is probably the most dominant of the ball players tomorrow night and he needs to be pretty dominant in that role," said Green.

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