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Luke Turgeon, GC Bulletin - The battle for the vacant Titans wing spots begins today, with Titans coach John Cartwright set to name all eight contenders for the Gold Coast's season-opening trial against the Broncos.

Cartwright will unveil a 26-man squad to take on Brisbane at Wynnum on Saturday, with every player tipped to get half a game each in order to stake their claim for a first grade jumper, with the toughest competition for positions out wide.

All eight wingers -- Shannon Walker, Brenton Bowen, Jordan Atkins, Esi Tonga, David Mead, Kevin Gordon, Chris Walker and Ben Jeffery -- will be named in the squad, putting the speed men on a level footing in the race to fill the flanks.

While Atkins and Tonga will be named in the centres, it is believed they will share time on the wing.

"Honestly, I couldn't tell you who it is going to be," said Atkins, when asked who had the inside run. "None of us actually know. It is not like there are one or two people who are a better chance than anyone else. Everyone is on an even-par."

Atkins arrived on the NRL scene in bold fashion last season with an incredible four-try haul on debut against the Cowboys in round one.

Nicknamed 'Air' Jordan for 'that' memorable one-handed touch down, he appeared set for a breakout rookie season before a serious knee injury halted his momentum, restricting him to just 14 games.

While much attention over the pre-season has fallen on the Titans' young talent in the outside backs, Atkins has been quietly applying himself and is happy to fly under the radar.

"It was a bit of a whirlwind thing for me last year," said the 26-year-old, who got his start after being plucked from the Queensland Cup. "It came from nowhere really. I didn't expect it at all.

"It is good that everything has cooled off a bit for me now. I actually kind of like it.

"The young guys are good kids with plenty of talent. They deserve the bit of the spotlight they are getting.

"It also takes a bit of pressure off some of the boys from last year."

Cartwright is yet to confirm his centre pairing for 2009 but it is widely tipped to be incumbent No.4 Brett Delaney and new recruit William Zillman.

Of the 26 players taking the field this weekend about 10 will be chosen for the Titans' second trial match against Cronulla in Darwin on February 21.

Atkins said he was determined to be on the plane to the NT and eventually lining up against Newcastle at Skilled Park in round one.

"This is a massive game for me," said Atkins of the Broncos trial. "Hopefully I'll get the chance to go to Darwin. Last year I was thinking 'how lucky is this, I have pulled this out of nowhere'.

"But this year I have matured a lot as a player and a person. I am really hungry for it."