Back-to-back NRL wins have put their finals destiny in their own hands but, after breaking into the top eight, Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook knows the hard work is just beginning.
The Titans can move back up to seventh spot if they beat struggling North Queensland at Cbus Super Stadium on Sunday, in their quest to reach the finals for just the second time in 10 seasons.
With matches against Melbourne and South Sydney still to come, a win over the Cowboys is vital to avoid losing ground with potentially four teams to finish this weekend level on 20 points between seventh and 10th on the ladder.
"We've got to keep going don't we? All of a sudden people are saying you're in the eight again but we're equal with four other sides," Holbrook said.
"We've got ourselves in a good position in terms of that due to for-and-against, which helps us, but we can't afford to be slipping backwards because it's so tight there.
"We can't relax one bit.
"We've got to keep working hard and that's what we've done the last month.
"We've really ramped it up and the players have been really accountable in that area and that's why we've improved our form and we need to continue that in the back end of the year."
The form of rookie halfback Toby Sexton has allowed Jamal Fogarty (finger) to have an extra week's rest for the Titans, with Patrick Herbert returning to the team after a one-game suspension.
The Cowboys, aiming to snap a seven-game losing run, welcome the return of fullback Valentine Holmes (shoulder) while Kane Bradley's fractured hand has forced a backline shuffle with Ben Hampton coming into the centres and Murray Taulagi shifting to the wing.
Jason Taumalolo has been named in the second row but Holbrook was circumspect whether the Cowboys star will actually start in that position.
"If they play him in the back row they're obviously looking to try things," he said.
"They haven't been playing as well as they would have liked of late so they may be just mixing it up but I'm not too sure.
"Wherever he lines up he's going to be dangerous."
