The Gold Coast Titans are talking up their chances of cracking their first NRL playoffs campaign in 2009 and with good reason.

They appeared finals-bound in their second season last year until injuries to tough prop Luke Bailey and halfback Scott Prince, the team's heartbeat, pulled the rug from under them.

Prince defied medical advice, returning early from a broken arm in a bid to help the Titans sneak into the playoffs.

They almost did.

It's easy to say "what if?"

But the 2009 Titans have even more reason to be confident of breaking through for their legion of fans this year following some impressive recruiting and team development.

"I've got no doubt at a pinch we could have made the finals in both years," says coach John Cartwright.

"This year we're a bit better prepared.

"We're three years in now so we've got a couple of guys who've been in the system for three years and true depth comes from within."

Cartwright believes the club has addressed its size issues in the forwards and with the emergence of some bigger outside backs in Brett Delaney, Josh Graham, Esi Tonga and Jordan Atkins.

"They're all big lads which is something we've lacked a little bit.

"We've strengthened where we had to, brought a few guys in like (utility back) William Zillman, (prop) Matt White and (backrower) Sam Tagataese."

White, who has worked hard to drop his weight down to 113kg after struggling with Newcastle last season, has caught Cartwright's eye in the trials.

"I think he's fitter than he's ever been. His whole body shape has changed since he got here," said former Test forward Cartwright.

"We lacked a bit of size last season but we've got plenty with White and Luke Bailey up front."

Mark down Zillman as a player to watch in 2009.

The former Canberra utility with the Fred Astaire footwork and silky skills to match has been on the radar for a few seasons now.

Two knee reconstructions have prevented NRL fans seeing the best of his special talents.

His pre-season efforts since linking with the Gold Coast already have his new club buzzing.

Captain Scott Prince has been blown away by the 22-year-old who's already pushing Preston Campbell for the fullback job, no mean feat given Campbell's attacking genius.

The fact that he can play fullback, centre or five-eighth is a big plus as well as a pleasant headache for Cartwright.

The coach hasn't worked out where Zillman will play but he's glad to have such a classy cover for the diminutive and courageous Campbell.

"Presto gets a lot of bad knocks during the year by virtue of the way he plays and his size," said Cartwright.

"Zilly is coming off two knee reconstructions which can take a good half a season to get the confidence and strength in the leg back so we'll just see how he goes."

The addition of White and Storm pick-up Tagataese, gives the pack some extra grunt behind Bailey.

It will allow workhorse Anthony Laffranchi, arguably the game's best back-rower in 2008, the opportunity to utilise his attacking game more this season.

Bailey is tipping the Titans to make the finals for the first time.

He's made a pledge to show the way for his teammates and is even talking about adding to his 15 Origin jumpers for NSW now that he is back to his 2005 playing weight of 108kg.

Prince will be the focal point of everything the Titans do.

With his former premiership coach Tim Sheens appointed Australian coach, Prince already has a powerful supporter in the selection room if he can launch a challenge to Thurston's Origin No.7 jumper.

The Titans made Skilled Park something of a fortress in their debut season and they believe with new additions in key positions they can return to that strength this year.

"We're not totally focusing on our start this year even though you never want to lose any games," said Cartwright.

"What we're really focused on is being really strong at the back end of the year."

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