Gold Coast will be banking on the no-nonsense approach of stand-in skipper Ryan James when they tackle the high-flying Cronulla Sharks in Monday night football.

The Titans will be without Nathan Friend and Will Zillman with James set to lead the Titans.

“We have got to stop their middle,” James said.

“They’ve got some great leaders in the middle but they can finish tries out wide.

“We need to be making sure the defence stays alive and the boys in the middle play hard.”