Unfashionable front-rower Aaron Sweeney could be Brisbane's NRL selection smokey next month after a solid trial hit-out against the Titans.

While all eyes were on recruits Ben Te'o and Lagi Setu, Sweeney put his hand up with a good performance in the 24-18 trial win over the Gold Coast.

Incoming coach Ivan Henjak is working on his front-row rotation which in recent years has suffered a battering following the losses of key players such as Shane Webcke, Petero Civoniceva and Ben Hannant.

While gun youngster Israel Folau's arrival has boosted Brisbane's backline talent - already boasting Peter Wallace, Darren Lockyer, Justin Hodges and Karmichael Hunt - a question mark hangs over their engine room, especially up front.

Nick Kenny continues to impress while Joel Clinton is back up to his preferred playing weight after shedding too many kilos in 2008.

However, young Dave Taylor, blessed with bags of potential, is still yet to prove he can deliver the big minutes required in the NRL.

But Sweeney - a dual-Allan Langer medallist in the Queensland Cup - is an aggressive forward with a good motor who Brisbane believe can help them out.

He has some "mongrel" about him which should also appeal to Henjak as he searches for the right balance in the club's final two trials against Canberra and Melbourne.

Sweeney's arrival on the scene should provide extra motivation for Clinton, keen to make up for a disappointing debut season in Brisbane in 2008.

The Broncos will be hoping the emergence of the tough 24-year-old will bring the best out of the former Panther.

Saturday's trial pleased both Paul Green, handed the coaching reins by Henjak and Titans coach John Cartwright.

Te'o and Setu look outstanding gains, both big, fast, strong and heavy hitters.

While youngsters like Alex Glenn - who led Brisbane's under 20s to last year's grand final - wingers Antonio Winterstein and Jharal Yow Yeh and halfback Ben Hunt showed they all have NRL futures.

Yow Yeh, who scored off a perfectly placed Hunt kick, looks every bit an NRL player in waiting with his great speed and enthusiasm.

"We got what we wanted from our experienced guys at the start of each half and a few of our younger guys did what we asked of them which was very pleasing," said Green.

"Our young guys like Alex Glenn and Gerard Beale played really well, Jharal was great, Dave Taylor came up with a great try saving tackle and didn't have the usual errors in his game which was pleasing."

Cartwright was pleased Chris Walker made his return after 18 months out with Achilles problems and with the early form of former Queensland and Australian prop Brad Meyers.

"It was good to see Chris Walker with the ball in his hands, you could see he's still got it and I thought Brad was our best player on the field," said Cartwright.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP