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40 mins ago | Andrew Ferguson
A new season brings new hope for 2015 cellar dwellers
Putting behind a turbulent 2015, the Gold Coast Titans will be looking for a fresh start with a new look line-up to help change the struggling club's fortunes. With eight players making their maiden appearances for the club, coach Neil Henry will be hoping the fresh faces help the Titans make the finals for the first time since 2010. The Titans are sporting a brand new spine in William Zillman, Tyrone Roberts, Ashley Taylor and returning hooker Nathan Friend, so they look to have a promising foundation to build upon supported by former representative backrowers Zeb Taia and Chris McQueen, as well as warhorse David Shillington. With Zillman in some doubt to play his first game since Round 10 last season, Leva Li is on standby to cover the Gold Coast co-captain in the event he fails to recover in time. Unable to secure game time at Parramatta and the Roosters respectively, Nathan Davis and Leivaha Pulu will make their first grade debuts after impressing in the lower grades.
After finishing 2015 with the wooden spoon, the only way is up for the Knights and in Nathan Brown they appear to have found the man to help them out of the doldrums. Making a major statement by naming five debutants and a further two players with less than ten games experience, the former Dragons mentor has made it clear that players will need to be accountable for their performances if they want to be a part of the NRL side. Among the five debutants the most intriguing players are twins Jacob and Daniel Safiti; having already represented Fiji in last year's Pacific Test, the 19-year-old duo will become the first pair of identical twins to debut in first grade together. While much has been made about the younger Knights players, Sunday night marks the first time Jarrod Mullen and Trent Hodkinson will play alongside each other as a halves pairing.
Last meeting: Round 19 2015 - Knights 30 Titans 2
Entering their tenth season in the NRL, the Titans hold a less than stellar record against Newcastle managing five wins in 14 clashes; however they did successfully come from 14-0 down to defeat the Knights at Skilled Park in the opening round of 2009.
Who to watch: Having read the writing on the wall at Newcastle last season, former Knights halfback Tyrone Roberts will be keen to upstage his former club with a strong first up performance for the Titans. Coming up against the man who replaced him in Trent Hodkinson, the mercurial playmaker will be out to showcase his full attacking arsenal including a devastating show-and-go, as well as repaying the faith by taking on the responsibility of being the primary playmaker.
Linking up with Newcastle just over a month ago, former Parramatta forward Pauli Pauli will be out to make a mark in his club debut for the Knights. Playing a key role in the comeback against Canberra in Orange a fortnight ago, the NSW Under 20's representative showed he hasn't lost any size, while his ability to offload the ball will be a major asset in helping the side shed the wooden spoon. With the Knights parting ways with Joseph Tapine recently, Pauli Pauli may just prove to be the remedy the club needs in order to get back on track under new coach Nathan Brown.
The favourite: With both sides expected to struggle in 2016, the experience of Trent Hodkinson has the Knights just ahead of the home side.
My tip: While the Titans will target the inexperience of the Newcastle rookies, the enthusiasm and accountability instilled in the side by Nathan Brown should see them emerge victorious. Knights by 7.
1. William Zillman 2. Anthony Don 3. Josh Hoffman 4. Nathan Davis 5. David Mead 6. Tyrone Roberts 7. Ashley Taylor 8. David Shillington 9. Nathan Friend 10. Agnatius Paasi 11. Zeb Taia 12. Chris McQueen 13. Greg Bird
Interchange: 14. Eddy Pettybourne 15. Ryan James 16. Leivaha Pulu 17. Daniel Mortimer 18. Lachlan Burr 19. Leva Li
1. Jaelen Feeney 2. Chanel Mata'utia 3. Dane Gagai 4. Pat Mata'utia 5. Akuila Uate 6. Jarrod Mullen 7. Trent Hodkinson 8. Kade Snowden 9. Tyler Randell 10. Sam Mataora 11. Jacob Saifiti 12. Robbie Rochow 13. Jeremy Smith
Interchange: 14. David Bhana 15. Korbin Sims 16. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 17. Pauli Pauli 18. Daniel Saifiti 19. Nathan Ross
Referees: Henry Perenara, Chris James; Sideline Officials: Clayton Sharpe, Peter Gough; Video Referees: Bryan Norrie, Matt Cecchin, Luke Patten