Titans v Bulldogs preview

Gold Coast Titans v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Cbus Super Stadium - Sunday 4:00pm

Two last-start winners meet at Robina for the chance to secure two competition points.

In the face of adversity, the Titans produced a measured 27-20 victory at Leichardt Oval last Friday, managing to withstand a Wests Tigers fightback to claim the two-points. However, the win comes at a loss for the Gold Coast club, losing talented playmaker Kane Elgey with an ankle injury for an extended period of time. In his place, the experienced Daniel Mortimer will return alongside Aidan Sezer in the halves, while Ryan James will captain the side for the first time in his career with Nate Myles on Origin duty. In other big selection news, Dave Taylor has been dropped to Queensland Cup, allowing the hugely underrated Matt Robinson the chance to come onto the bench.

Coming up against arguably the form side of the NRL, Canterbury delivered an outstanding performance against the Dragons, withstanding a comeback to prevail 29-16. The Bulldogs will once again be stripped of a number of their star players, with Brett Morris, Josh Morris, Trent Hodkinson, Josh Jackson and David Klemmer all included in the New South Wales side, while James Graham's unfortunate run with injury continues. Already without Tony Williams long-term, the Bulldogs interchange will be severely tested, but with the likes of Tim Browne and Antonio Kaufusi providing additional go-forward, Des Hasler will fancy his chance of a third-straight victory.

Last meeting: Round 26 2014 - Gold Coast Titans 19 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 18

Who to watch: Unable to manage more than a single NRL match with the Bulldogs, Lachlan Burr has reveled in his move to the Gold Coast. Largely unknown at the start of 2015, Burr has been an unsung hero in the Titans forward pack, averaging 25 tackles a game. More than just a tireless defender, Burr's work with the ball has been equally impressive, coming up with a number of offloads so far this year to benefit the speed of the Titans backline players.

Since the emergence of David Klemmer, former Kiwi prop Sam Kasiano has been somewhat of a forgotten man amongst the Canterbury ranks. Winning the 2012 Dally M Award for Prop of the Year, Kasiano will have a perfect opportunity to re-establish himself in a depleted Bulldogs side this weekend. Showing glimpses of his best last weekend to bury over from close range for a try, Des Hasler will need Kasiano to increase his workload if the Bulldogs are to come away with the win.

The favourite: Despite missing a number of star players, the Bulldogs are expected to prove good for the Titans.

My tip: With both sides showing signs of their potential in recent weeks, the Titans will be out to capitalise on the weakened Bulldogs in a close tussle. Titans by 7.

1. Josh Hoffman 2. Anthony Don 3. James Roberts 4. Brad Tighe 5. David Mead 6. Aidan Sezer 7. Daniel Mortimer 8. Luke Douglas 9. Kierran Moseley 10. Eddy Pettybourne 11. Ryan James 12. Ben Ridge 13. Lachlan Burr
Interchange: 14. Matt White 15. Agnatius Paasi 16. Mark Ioane 17. Matt Robinson 18. Kevin Gordon

1. Sam Perrett 2. Curtis Rona 3. Chase Stanley 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Corey Thompson 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Moses Mbye 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. Sam Kasiano 11. Greg Eastwood 12. Frank Pritchard 13. Lloyd Perrett
Interchange: 14. Danny Fualalo 15. Antonio Kaufusi 16. Tim Browne 17. Herman Essese 20. Tyrone Phillips 21. Jacob Loko

Referees: Jared Maxwell, Chris James; Sideline Officials: Michael Wise, Adam Reid; Video Referees: Steve Clark, Daniel Irvine;

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