With five wins from their first six games this season, the Titans were sitting atop of the competition ladder and threatening to make this year, the year they fulfil their potential.
However, last Monday’s defeat against the Storm (24 – 20) was their sixth from their past seven matches and they Gold Coast has plummeted to twelfth on the ladder.
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Playing at home, against a side missing Cronk, Slater, Smith and Hoffman, the Titans started favourites, despite missing several key players themselves, but things started to turn sour for them even before kick-off with regular halfback Albert Kelly unable to take his spot in the starting line-up.
Only eight minutes into the game Kelly’s replacement, Beau Henry, left the field after suffering a knee injury and was unable to return.
After being down 10 – nil early, it was a courageous effort by the Titans to have scores locked up at 10 all at the half-time break.
During the second stanza, the lead changed hands four times but ultimately, the Storm’s winning culture prevailed over the Titans’ makeshift but committed side in a frantic final ten minutes that saw three tries scored.
Ben Takairangi has been named at five-eighth this week with Maurice Blair at halfback.
The Origin trio of Bird, Myles and Taylor have been listed in the squad with Bird a starter and Myles and Taylor on an extended bench.
DRAGONS
The Dragons recorded a much needed win, albeit over the struggling Sharks, in round 13 (30 – 0), their first in five matches and backed that up with a strong effort against competition leaders Penrith last week, although coming up just short 18 – 14.
It was clearly evident that the Sharks victory had breathed some new life and confidence into the Dragons outfit last week who although never led during the match, made the Panthers work very hard to earn the victory.
It’s been vastly improved performances by the Dragons in the past fortnight as Benji Marshall finds his NRL legs and his place in the St. George side.
Continuing to improve at this rate could see the Dragons salvage something from this year and prove a real nuisance side for teams vying for a top eight spot.
Josh Duggan and Trent Merrin return to the side after Origin.
HEAD TO HEAD
In the eight games played between these two sides since 2009, the two sides have taken in turns of winning and if that sequence is to continue here, it’ll be the Dragons victorious – and that could be the case.
The Titans, although playing at home, are on a quick back up and their record at Cbus Stadium this year is a poor 2 – 5.
These clashes can often been low-scoring dour affairs with four of the last six contest having produced less than 30 match points.
With both team struggling – combining for one win from their last eleven matches, a similar result may be on the cards here with the Dragons, who have the more settled side and better momentum, coming out on top.
Teams:
TITANS: 1. William Zillman 2. Kevin Gordon 3. Brad Tighe 4. James Roberts 5. David Mead 6. Brad Takairangi 7. Maurice Blair 8. Luke Bailey 9. Beau Falloon 10. Luke Douglas 11. Greg Bird 12. Mark Minichiello 13. Ashley Harrison 14. Matt White 15. Caleb Binge 16. Ben Ridge 17. Matt Srama 18. Dave Taylor 19. Nate Myles
DRAGONS: 1. Adam Quinlan 2. Charly Runciman 3. Josh Dugan 4. Gerard Beale 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Benji Marshall 8. Ben Creagh 9. Mitch Rein 10. Michael Cooper 11. Leeson Ah Mau 12. Joel Thompson 13. Trent Merrin 14. Jack de Belin 15. Will Matthews 16. Shane Pumipi 17. Bronson Harrison
