Much to Nate Myles’ relief, no one mentioned the “s” word ahead of the Gold Coast Titans’ must-win NRL clash with Melbourne on Saturday.
But with a bit of luck, Myles’ Titans will be able to utter the “f” word after the top eight finally falls into place this weekend.
Myles was breathing a little easier after scans did not reveal a dreaded syndesmosis tear of the ankle, prompting the Titans to name their co-captain in their starting side for their last gasp finals push against the reigning premiers in Melbourne.
But Titans assistant Steve Murphy did not have to be told a lot more than Myles being passed fit has to go right for the Gold Coast to taste finals action for the first time in three seasons.
The 9th-placed Titans not only have to defeat the Storm in Melbourne but rely on either Newcastle (7th) or North Queensland (8th) losing to lock in a finals spot.
For now the Titans are simply keeping their fingers crossed Myles can play.
Mark Ioane is on standby for Myles who was still wearing a moon boot on Tuesday.
“He improved this morning. We are hopeful he will get through the week and take his place on the weekend,” Murphy said.
“If he is anywhere near right he will take his position knowing Nate.
“There is a bit of damage there with any ankle sprain but the extent of that is probably within his ability to endure pain and we know he can do that.
“He is desperate to get on the field.”
Murphy echoed veteran prop Luke Bailey’s call that the Titans had shown by last round’s shock win over the Sydney Roosters that they had the depth to cover Myles’ loss.
Despite being without the likes of Ashley Harrison, Mark Minichiello, Jamal Idris, William Zillman and David Mead, the Titans downed the Roosters in Sydney 30-22 – a win rated as arguably the greatest in their seven year history.
“The depth in the squad has proven to be more than formidable,” Murphy said.
He admitted Melbourne would be pumped up to “hit the ground running” into the finals after their last round loss to Manly.
But he said the Titans were not going to die wondering with the finals carrot dangling in front of them.
“It (finals) is there in the back of the mind,” he said.
“I am sure they will be looking at the finals thinking they should be there (if they miss out).”
Meanwhile, Murphy saluted the “remarkable” effort of Titans prop Luke Douglas who will equal Jason Taylor’s record of 194 consecutive NRL games this weekend.