A comprehensive loss to a North Queensland outfit led by dynamic duo Matt Bowen and Johnathan Thurston could be the "kick up the backside" Gold Coast need in the lead-up to the NRL finals.

Titans back-rower Anthony Laffranchi, who missed Friday night's 34-18 defeat to the Cowboys due to suspension, described his side's first loss at Skilled Park this season as a "minor hiccup".

"You never enjoy a loss," said former NSW Origin forward Laffranchi, who will return for next Sunday's clash with the Warriors in Auckland.

"You're worried but you're not too worried. We've had a lot of disruptions this week ... so in that aspect it wasn't helpful but full credit to the Cowboys.

"We're not going to hit the panic button or hold any crisis meetings if that's what everyone is thinking.

"It's just a minor hiccup. We'll review the game because there's a lot of areas we can work on.

"If anything it might be a bit of a blessing and a good kick up the backside for us."

Laffranchi, Queensland Origin backrower Ashley Harrison (ribs) and five-eighth Mat Rogers (groin) missed Friday night's match while reliable centre Brett Delaney limped off the field with a potential season-ending hamstring injury.

But take nothing away from the Cowboys - who are down on troops themselves, including star forwards Luke O'Donnell (knee) and Aaron Payne (shoulder)- after they became the first team in 2009 to breach Gold Coast's fortress.

"We were pretty desperate for the win to keep us in the top eight," Cowboys prop Shane Tronc told AAP on Saturday.

"Our defence in the first half was outstanding. They had a few sets on us and we held them out. That's what got us a win in the end."

The Titans still need one more victory to secure an historic finals berth and Delaney, who will miss between four and six weeks, is desperate to be in the thick of the action.

"I carried the (hamstring) injury into a game so it was just a matter of time before it popped," he said on Saturday.

"It's an exciting time for the club and I want to be part of it. Hopefully I'll be back in four weeks."

Bowen was sensational on Friday night, bagging two tries, setting up a third for John Williams and making several try-saving tackles.

"He's a little freak," said Tronc, who will join English club Wakefield next year.

"His defence was probably the best part of his game. He's certainly back to his best."

The Cowboys face a tough month with games against Melbourne (away), Bulldogs (home), Newcastle (away) and Brisbane (home).

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