Storm loss a key for Gold Coast NRL surge

Gold Coast's early-season thrashing by Melbourne has resulted in the club's unlikely push for an NRL finals berth.

The Titans, written off pre-season as a wooden spoon candidate, head into Monday's clash with table-topping Cronulla sitting seventh on the ladder and chasing a finals berth for the first time since 2010.

Titans' back Josh Hoffman says a heart-to-heart between the team after being belted 38-0 by the Storm at home in round nine has forced the players to band together in their quest to reach the top eight.