Former Maroons hardman Trevor Gillmeister believes Gold Coast have a touch of Queensland's record-breaking State of Origin side about them that could take the Titans all the way in 2010.

Despite muscling into second place on the back of five successive wins, the Titans still can't convince critics they're legitimate premiership threats.

Gillmeister on Wednesday drew comparisons between Queensland's key to its recent record Origin success and the style the Titans play this season.

"I think about the Queensland side of the last few years with Cameron Smith, Locky (Darren Lockyer), JT (Johnathan Thurston) and Billy Slater - you've got four points of attack," said Gillmeister.

"You can't control those four blokes at one time."

Gillmeister said with Scott Prince, Mat Rogers, Nathan Friend and Preston Campbell, the Titans boasted a similar spread of talent in key positions which opposition sides struggled to close down.

"You can have the best players in the world, but if you don't work as a team, you're not going to win," Gillmeister told AAP on Wednesday ahead of Saturday's clash with Cronulla.

"That's something I learned over the years.

"You don't win it with two or three superstars in your team, you've got to have good players across the board."

He cited Origin as an example where NSW often had "better" sides on paper but didn't always win.

"You can have all the superstars in the world in your team, but if they aren't prepared to work as a unit they won't win," he said.

Gillmeister is talking from experience.

He climbed out of his hospital bed in 1995 to lead Queensland to Origin's greatest upset over a NSW side which, on paper, should have dominated the series but lost 3-0.

Regarded amongst the most punishing tacklers in the last 25 years, Gillmeister has been thrilled by the Titans' commitment to defence.

"I've been rapt in our defence," said the player known as "The Axe".

"Their attitude has been fantastic, they've been sensational all year.

"We've had teams have six and seven (repeat) sets on us and the players have a belief they can hold teams out no matter how long it is.

"It's an old cliche but defence wins finals, and it does."

Gillmeister sighted prop Brad Meyers' huge defensive play against the Sydney Roosters on Monday night to sum up their attitude to defence.

"He didn't have to turn up to make the tackle, he'd already chased and made his tackle in the play," said Gillmeister.

"You can't make players do that, they have to want to do it."

A warrior of 22 Origins, Gillmeister said the Titans had developed into a versatile unit capable of dealing with injury and adversity.

"Quite a few teams rely on one or two players - and they're star players," he said.

"If someone shuts Scott Prince down, Presto (Preston Campbell) Matty Rogers, or Birdy (Greg) Bird take over or Nathan Friend beats them through the middle.

"That's the sign of a good team."

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