Gold Coast coach John Cartwright says his top-of-the-table Titans have no chance of winning the NRL premiership if they defend as poorly as in Sunday's thrilling 38-36 win over Newcastle at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

After sitting through the 13-try heartstopper - which included the Knights tying the premiership record for the most points scored by a losing team - Cartwright claimed the Titans could not possibly play as poorly and expect to win games every week.

The victory propelled the Titans to equal top spot alongside St George Illawarra on the competition table but, other than being pleased to get the win, Cartwright called for an improved showing against Brisbane on Friday.

"It was hard game to get a handle on," he said.

"It was tight at stages but both kept scoring tries. It was a good one for the crowd.

"(But) if you want to go anywhere in a competition, you can't let games unravel like that and need to play with the same intensity week in, week out.

"You will win nothing if you don't ... but we are joint leaders with St George and that is something we are pleased with.

"But as for favouritism? That is for the public to discuss."

Veteran Kiwi winger Clinton Toopi, who scored twice - just six months after he decided not to quit the game - said the result shows the Titans are a force to be reckoned with.

"It is still early days. It is round nine, but we have beaten Melbourne, Manly, Penrith and have now come back to beat a side who are very strong at home," Toopi told AAP.

"I think teams do respect us and are wary of us, but nothing is won in May.

"There is a long way to go, but we are happy with how we are travelling."

Cartwright said he was unconcerned about reports that a betting agency had suspended wagering on its NRL futures market following rumours the Titans could be the next team involved in a salary-cap scandal.

"I read it, and then read it further on where it said the NRL have done further investigations and there is nothing to worry about," Cartwright said.

"It is easy to read the headline and think the worst. I have no problems if the NRL don't have any problems."

Knights coach Rick Stone cut a frustrated figure after the game as his side lost for the sixth time this season.

The Knights equalled the record for the highest losing score with Hunter Mariners against the Bulldogs in Super League in 1997 and the Bulldogs against Wests Tigers in 2005.

"Our dishonesty cost us the game," Stone said.

"We were in a position to win the game three or four times but our indiscipline and lack of concentration cost us.

"A couple of timed we had the foot on the throat but we couldn't take them and invited the Titans back into the game."

Stone was also fearful influential playmaker Jarrod Mullen could be out of action for some time after he limped off with an ankle injury in the second half.

"He has gone off for X-rays which will give us some idea," the coach said.

"But as of yet we don't know how bad the injury is ... and it will be a bit of problem for us if he is out for some time."

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