Gold Coast skipper Scott Prince has nominated his side's self belief as the critical factor heading into this weekend's NRL match against Wests Tigers.

The Titans co-captain knows a thing or two about riding a wave of confidence all the way to the title, having led the Tigers to their first and only premiership in 2005.

"We've just got this confidence and self belief within the side at the moment," Prince said on Wednesday.

"Even on the weekend when we were under the pump defensively on our line, we had that confidence in our defence that they (Cronulla) weren't going to crack us.

"It's something that's hard to get, but once you get it it's lethal in terms of keeping you in games, and going into matches where you just feel like you can't lose."

The Tigers head to Skilled Park with their season on the line - with another loss certain to end their gallant charge to the top eight.

But Prince said it would be too early to write off his former side.

"Obviously they're playing desperate, but they're playing confidently as well, they're not locking up, they're letting the ball do the talking and defensively they're coming off the line with speed and aggression," Prince said.

"They'll be a little bit shaken up after the weekend with injuries and suspension to Bryce Gibbs, but we won't be taking them lightly.

"They'll be coming here desperate to get a top eight position and we just can't allow that, we have to go out and do our job."

Coach John Cartwright played down the litany of injuries the Tigers have listed.

"I'm not really concerned about what they're saying, it wouldn't surprise me who they play, I'm sure half the guys they say aren't playing are going to be playing anyway.

"Their playmakers are there and they're the guys we have to focus on."

Prince said despite his history with the Tigers no one will be showing any mercy once they take the field.

"I've got some very good mates there, once you win a premiership with a team you've just got that connection and that'll never be broken.

"But we're all professional and when it comes to the game we all run across the white stripe and it's all on - she's down to business."

The Titans and Tigers will play for the annual Larry Corowa Shield, named after the former Balmain and Gold Coast Seagulls winger, who'll be a special guest at Saturday's game at Skilled park.

Corowa, nicknamed "The Black Flash" watched the Titans train on Wednesday and said the team's outstanding performance this season has been no surprise to him.

"I think the development over the last two years, you can see it coming to fruition," Corowa said.

"You've got a really good coach and management in Michael Searle, so you've got the stability that wasn't there 15 or 20 years ago, so it doesn't surprise me the success they're having this year."

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