The second of Sunday’s NRL Round 9 matches is between Gold Coast Titans and St George Illawarra Dragons. The opening kick is set to commence at 3pm local time with the game to be played at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast. The home team the Gold Coast Titans are the current favourites in the market and look hard to beat. View our preview and teams for the game between Gold Coast Titans and St George Illawarra Dragons.
WHERE AND WHEN: Skilled Park, Sunday @ 15:00
Opening Odds:
Gold Coast Titans $1.55 vs St George Illawarra Dragons $2.45 at Sportsbet Australia
Gold Coast Titans $1.51 vs St George Illawarra Dragons $2.60 at Luxbet Australia
Preview:
The Titans play the Dragons on Sunday at Skilled Park, with kick off set for 3.00pm. The Titans are sixth on the ladder at the moment, and a 4-4 record sees them on the brink for the 2013 season.
Gold Coast have suffered a number of injury losses in 2013, and will welcome back key players Kevin Gordon and David Mead this weekend.
The Dragons are not expected by many to win this game, after struggling to score points when it counts throughout the 2013 season.
Teams:
Gold Coast Titans:
William Zillman, Kevin Gordon, Brad Takairangi, Jamal Idris, David Mead, Aidan Sezer, Albert Kelly, Luke Bailey, Beau Falloon, Luke Douglas, Greg Bird, Mark Minichiello, Nate Myles
Interchange: Dave Taylor, Ryan James, Ben Ridge, Sam Irwin, Mark Ioane (one to be omitted)
St George Illawarra Dragons:
Jason Nightingale, Brett Morris, Chase Stanley, Matt Cooper, Daniel Vidot, Jamie Soward, Nathan Fien, Dan Hunt, Mitch Rein, Jack Stockwell, Tyson Frizell, Ben Creagh (c), Trent Merrin
Interchange: Bronson Harrison, Matt Prior, Jack de Belin, Michael Weyman
Referees: Shayne Hayne/Gerard Sutton
Video Referee: Luke Phillips/Neil Wharton
Titans recall trio to take on Dragons
Injured trio David Mead, Kevin Gordon and Ben Ridge have all been named to make their comebacks for Gold Coast in Sunday’s NRL clash against St George Illawarra.
Wingers Mead and Gordon have been recalled at the expense of Anthony Don and Steve Michaels while Ridge comes onto a five-man interchange bench.
Youngster Mark Ioane is the 18th man after impressing coach John Cartwright in his NRL debut against the Warriors last weekend.
Cartwright said it was a plus being able to bring the experience of Mead and Gordon back into his starting lineup after their recoveries from a broken jaw and hamstring strain respectively.
“The guys that went in (Don and Michaels), the only way you get experience is you get given the chance,” he said.
“They’re going to be better for the run but Kevvie and Dave, they’re only young, but they’ve had plenty of first grade under their belt.
“I see them as future representative players so to get them back in the side is a bonus.”
Ridge is coming back from a torn pectoral muscle suffered in the round five loss to Brisbane.
Halfback Albert Kelly has been named though he faces a fitness test later in the week following a head knock in the 25-24 defeat to the Warriors.
Cartwright said no risks would be taken with Kelly and it will be up to the team doctor to decide on his eligibility to take on the Dragons.
“He wasn’t out cold at all, he just got a bit dazed,” Cartwright said.
“It’s what is good for the player. Bottom line is it is a game and we don’t want to put anyone’s health at risk, there is a process in place that everyone at this club is comfortable with.”
Titans: William Zillman, Kevin Gordon, Brad Takairangi, Jamal Idris, David Mead, Aidan Sezer, Albert Kelly, Luke Bailey, Beau Falloon, Luke Douglas, Greg Bird, Mark Minichiello, Nate Myles. Interchange: David Taylor, Ryan James, Ben Ridge, Sam Irwin, Mark Ioane (one to be omitted).
