If coach John Cartwright has it figured right, the Gold Coast Titans may be ready to claim a maiden NRL title in only their fifth season.

Cartwright's mantra of steady improvement and consistent effort has borne fruit, carrying them within one game of the grand final last year and giving fans plenty of reasons to look forward to 2011.

With the coach recently signed to a new five-year deal, the Titans have the luxury of being able to plan long-term while targeting far more immediate glory.

"We want to be the most consistent football team in the competition. The last four or five years have shown the most consistent sides win grand finals," says Cartwright.

"St George were that for two years and they won the title.

"It's been us and St George who've been up their the most and I've always said if you're consistent, you will get the rewards. That's the only guarantee in footy.

"We've improved a little each year and we're not far away."

The Titans tick a lot of boxes.

They are a well-coached, highly-professional side with a classy playmaker in Scott Prince to guide their attack behind a tireless pack, headed by Luke Bailey, Ashley Harrison, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello and busy hooker Nathan Friend, who play above their size and never give up.

A key challenge this year will be absorbing the loss of veteran Mat Rogers, whose NRL career ended in retirement on 199 games with a grand final farewell tantalisingly out of reach.

A big asset at centre or five-eighth, he was a genuine game-breaker who provided leadership and experience in clutch situations.

Luckily Cartwright has another versatile player who can provide inspiration and impact in Greg Bird, who could again find his time split between No.6 and lock.

Bird offers the Titans plenty of options in attack with his underrated balls skills and there are few more intimidating defenders.

Cartwright's other big challenges will be settling on a fullback - either William Zillman or Shannon Walker - and deciding on Prince's partner in the halves.

It could be ageing veteran Preston Campbell, who played in the No.6 when Penrith won their last premiership, or South Sydney recruit Luke Capewell. Or it could be Bird.

The Titans' ability to grind out wins is a big plus, coming from behind on the scoreboard six times to win games in 2010.

That mental toughness, instilled by Cartwright and former Queensland Origin hardman Trevor Gillmeister, ensures opposition teams earn every single point and never feel comfortable.

The Titans finished the 2010 regular season in style, winning six of their last seven games.

But they were ultimately found wanting again during the finals when teams need to be able to step up a notch.

Cartwright hasn't made too many changes to his 2011 playing roster and is a lot wiser about what is needed to take the extra step to make the grand final.

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