Saturday’s NRL 2018 Round 22 match is between Gold Coast Titans and Penrith Panthers. The opening kick is set to commence at 15:00 local time with the game to be played at Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast. The away team Penrith Panthers are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between Gold Coast Titans and Penrith Panthers.
When: 15:00 | Saturday 11/08/2018
Where: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Preview:
What a week it has been for the Panthers and I still can’t come to terms on how and why they thought that four weeks from finals it would be a good idea to sack the coach.
This sort of change does one or two things.
Gives you an excuse to play badly or gives you a new look.
I think with the opposition they are playing it will work in their favour this week but I’m not so sure in weeks to come.
If the Panthers can get it right, on their day they can beat anyone.
It’s just a matter of getting their day right for the next six weeks and they need to start with their defence.
I love the youth and skill they possess.
KEY BATTLE: Ash Taylor v Nathan Cleary
One matchup I will look closely at is the two halves.
Cleary has been on the increase since Origin but Ash Taylor needs a rocket under him and I’ll be interested to see his response this week.
In fact, all the Titans need to show a resolve from last week’s loss.
The Verdict
I don’t think the Titans will win but they can install some pride back amongst themselves.
Penrith has a 17-7 (70.8 percent) line record in games played during August since 2013.
Unibet Odds:
Gold Coast Titans at $2.85
Penrith Panthers at $1.44
Odds:
Tip: Penrith Panthers at $1.42
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Waqa Blake at $14.00
More Info:
Teams:
Gold Coast Titans:
1 Michael Gordon, 2 Anthony Don, 3 Konrad Hurrell, 4 Brenko Lee, 5 Phillip Sami, 6 AJ Brimson, 7 Ashley Taylor, 8 Jarrod Wallace, 9 Nathan Peats, 10 Ryan James (c), 11 Kevin Proctor, 12 Keegan Hipgrave, 13 Jai Arrow
Interchange: 14 Mitch Rein, 15 Moeaki Fotuaika,16 Jack Stockwell, 17 Will Matthews
Reserves: 18 Leilani Latu, 19 Brendan Elliot, 20 Jai Whitbread, 21 Kane Elgey.
Penrith Panthers: 
1 Tyrone Peachey, 2 Josh Mansour, 3 Waqa Blake, 4 Dean Whare, 5 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 6 James Maloney (c), 7 Nathan Cleary, 8 James Tamou, 9 Sione Katoa, 10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Isaah Yeo, 13 James Fisher-Harris
Interchange: 14 Tyrone May, 15 Trent Merrin, 16 Moses Leota, 17 Corey Harawira-Naera
Reserves: 18 Christian Crichton, 19 Jack Hetherington, 20 Kaide Ellis, 21 Wayde Egan.
NRL News:
Ivan Cleary and Wayne Bennett are Penrith’s top targets to take over from sacked coach Anthony Griffin.
NRL.com reported that the Tigers had offered Cleary a four-year deal in an attempt to prise him away from the Wests Tigers.
It’s understood Panthers officials have spoken to Tigers mentor Cleary – the father of Penrith halfback Nathan – in the past few weeks.
The Panthers are also interested in veteran super-coach Bennett, believing he is a man who could deliver their talented squad an NRL title.
Penrith general manager Phil Gould said the club had received numerous applications since parting with Griffin on Monday.
Assistant Cameron Ciraldo has taken over as caretaker coach for the rest of the season, however, he is just 33 and considered too young for the job on a full-time basis.
“We’ve already had 12 applications come in overnight from people within the game,” Gould said.
“Other assistant coaches and even some head coaches from other clubs.
“I think we’d be a very popular choice for a coach who’s looking for a strong club and a good roster and great facilities.”
Gould said the club had a clear preferred option.
That person is believed to be Cleary, despite the fact he is on contract with the Tigers until the end of 2020.
Gould refused to answer questions linking Cleary with a return to the club three years after he was sacked, but securing him would also ensure they retain gun halfback Nathan Cleary.
Both Cleary and his son Nathan have recently stated their desire to work with each other at some point during their careers.
The NSW Origin halfback can begin talking to rival clubs from November 1 and keeping him at the foot of the mountains will be the club’s No.1 priority.
“We have a preferred coach at this stage but that’s not to say that’s the one we’ll end up with,” Gould said.
It’s understood the Panthers are interested in Bennett, whose future at Brisbane is clouded.
Bennett is contracted at the Broncos until the end of next year and the club has failed to land big-name coaches Paul Green and Craig Bellamy in recent months.
Seven-time premiership winner Bennett, 68, has unsuccessfully sought an extension and is said to be considering an early exit and Gould himself last week said Bennett’s position at the Broncos in 2019 was untenable.
Bennett and Gould are said to have a strained relationship but Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher on Tuesday said there was no reason the pair couldn’t work together.
Asked about working alongside Bennett, Gould said: “That’d be fun wouldn’t it? Crikey. Could he work with me?
“I’m not talking about individuals, that’s ridiculous.
“I don’t know what Wayne is doing at the Broncos at the moment. I don’t know what the Broncos are doing either.
“It’s got nothing to do with us.”
