James lauds Meninga effect at Titans

Mal Meninga's sheer presence is contributing to Gold Coast's cultural overhaul, with captain Ryan James admitting the squad walked taller whenever their new, high-profile member of staff was in the room.

James said it was no coincidence the Titans' drama-free off-season had aligned with the Australian coach's arrival at Parkwood as head of performance and culture.

Meninga, as well as Gold Coast's executive chairman Dennis Watt, have both publicly called for players to be immediately stood down when charged with serious offences following an off-season to forget for the NRL.

Second-year coach Garth Brennan, himself a former policeman, has lamented the "fair share of scandals" that have stalled the club's progress.

James said that message has rubbed off on Titans players, who have avoided the negative headlines as they eye their NRL opener against Canberra on March 17 with genuine optimism.

"Just having his presence here is massive for the club," James said of Meninga.

"He's got the aura; he's a big man and you try and do everything right when he's around."

Meninga is doing more than strut the halls in a Titans polo though, with the methods adopted by Queensland and Australian teams he has coached seemingly at play again on the Gold Coast.

"He told us about the history of rugby league on the Coast, took it way back," James said.

"It's good to know where the club's been in the past, why it's gone under.

"We're yet to have a successful club on the Gold Coast and that's what we're striving to."

Halfback Ashley Taylor said the retired great had been a "calming influence" after admitting he let his Queensland Origin omission stunt his club form last year.

"For a young player like myself, those chats just getting to know him really help," he said.

"I think that's the influence that Mal has; he's brought that culture stuff on and wants us to come together as a whole club.

"He's trying to ram home that we are one team and we are accountable for our actions."