Gold Coast’s daunting NRL run home is proving to be just the motivation the club needed as they chase a finals berth.
The Titans moved back into the top eight on Monday night with an upset 26-16 win over fifth-placed Canterbury in Sydney.
But with four tough matches to complete their home-and-away campaign, it’s far from certain if the Titans can stay in the finals race.
After a short turnaround North Queensland lie in wait in Townsville on Saturday before the final home match against the Warriors the following weekend.
Away matches against in-form reigning premiers Melbourne and minor premiership hunting Sydney Roosters cap off the year.
“I think our boys are relishing the challenge of playing these better teams,” Titans assistant coach Steve Murphy told reporters on Tuesday.
“It seems to bring out the best in our boys and I’m sure this week will be no different.”
The Titans named an unchanged squad on Tuesday for Saturday’s clash with the Cowboys, though Jamie Dowling is in doubt after hurting his knee against the Bulldogs.
Injured fullback William Zillman will also be given a chance to prove his fitness as he tries to return from a groin complaint.
One makeshift option that won’t be changing for the Titans is the switch of former Queensland Origin backrower Ashley Harrison to five-eighth, which Murphy said had lot to do with Gold Coast rediscovering winning ways.
“I think Ash’s strength can’t be underestimated in terms of what he does for the group, what he does for the younger players,” Murphy said.
“I don’t think it’s any co-incidence that Aidan Sezer’s played two of his better games … Ash has a wealth of experience and Aidan can only benefit from being around someone like that.”
Titans: David Mead, Kevin Gordon, Brad Takairangi, Jamie Dowling, Anthony Don, Ashley Harrison, Aidan Sezer, Luke Douglas, Beau Falloon, Nate Myles, Ben Ridge, Mark Minichiello, Greg Bird. Interchange: David Taylor, Ryan James, Luke O’Dwyer, Sam Irwin.