At just 22 and in his second year with the club, Gold Coast skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui admits he feels the weight of pressure as captain.
But the young prop says it also invigorates his desire to deliver on behalf of the side.
The Titans struggled early in 2022 winning just three of their 10 games to start the season after making the NRL's final eight one year ago.
Fresh off a golden-point win over St George Illawarra, coach Justin Holbrook said the win meant "everything" after coming off five losses.
Fa'asuamaleaui is now confident his young side can turn the corner with 15 games to go in the season.
"It definitely plays a big role," Fa'asuamaleaui said on the responsibility of being captain.
"The pressure wise and my performance, but ... I'm just really focused on my game and make sure that I'm playing well because if I'm playing well the boys will follow.
"I lead with my actions. That's the main thing I reckon I've learnt (since being captain) and keep focused to make sure I'm playing well for the boys."
Saturday's win over the Dragons marked the first of five consecutive games in southeast Queensland for the Titans, with Cronulla (home), Brisbane (away), North Queensland (home) and South Sydney (home) to come.
That familiarity of home soil has Fa'asuamaleaui thinking of June's looming State of Origin opener, with the skipper confident he can play his way into the Maroons if he continues to work hard for his club.
"Obviously my first job is to play good for the Titans, but running out each week I really want to earn the right to throw myself in the mix to get picked for Queensland," he said.
"It will be hard (to depart his club side), but it's an honour being in Queensland camp."
