Round 9: Titans v Sharks preview
There's no such thing as magic, but there is a Magic Round
Unable to deliver a knockout blow in Townville last Friday, the Gold Coast Titans will be desperate for a win against the Cronulla Sharks in the opening match of the inaugural NRL Magic Round.
Falling to 14th on the ladder after going down to the Cowboys, 28-14, coach Garth Brennan will be hoping for a greater share of luck following two calls against his team at key points in the match - both of which were later deemed to be incorrect by NRL Head of Football, Graham Annesley, in his weekly press conference.
Managing just two wins from their first eight matches, Thursday's clash will see the Titans face off against the Sharks for the first time on neutral ground at Suncorp Stadium, a venue the Gold Coast have struggled at with five wins from 21 appearances.
Forced into changes due to injury, Dale Copley replaces Phillip Sami on the wing, while AJ Brimson will start at five-eighth in a move that sees Kevin Proctor assume the captaincy. Having been apart of the extended squad in recent weeks, former Melbourne and South Sydney outside back, Jesse Arthars, will make his NRL debut in jersey 14.
Producing an inspired performance at home last Friday, the Cronulla Sharks will be striving for consistency in a season so far defined by rookies and injuries.
Overcoming an early deficit to outlast Melbourne, 20-18, in front of the poorest attendance at PointsBet Stadium since the infamous "Sharknado" of 2015, coach John Morris will be hoping recent history against the Titans plays to his side's favour after posting-back-back wins, including a victory at home earlier this season.
Boasting a lacklustre record at Suncorp Stadium with three wins from 14 appearances since the redevelopment in the early 2000s, only four current players - Paul Gallen, Wade Graham, Jayson Bukuya and Sosaia Feki - have tasted success at the venue in Sharks' colours.
Making minimal changes with Sosaia Feki coming onto the wing in place of Sione Katoa, former South Sydney flyer Aaron Gray has retained his place in the squad after making his first appearance since Round 2 last year against Melbourne.
Last meeting: Round 2 2019 - Sharks 20 Titans 6
Who to watch: Having been touted as a contender to debut for Queensland in Origin III last year, Ashley Taylor has failed to kick on from the promise shown in his breakout season. Missing the start of 2019 through injury, the 24-year-old halfback has been a shadow of the player that claimed Rookie of the Year honours in 2016, managing just two try-assists all year, while regularly deferring responsibility to Tyrone Roberts in moments he has previously owned. With Roberts unavailable due to concussion, Taylor will need to step up on Thursday night or run the risk of becoming the highest paid man in reserve grade.
While many of the Sharks' young guns making the step up to first grade have come through the club's junior pathways, Braden Hamlin-Uele has shown plenty of promise after heading south last year. Debuting with North Queensland in 2017 prior to the Cowboys late season surge, the 24-year-old Auckland native crossed for a match-winning maiden try against Melbourne last Friday in just his sixth appearance in the NRL. Evoking the physique of club legend, Andrew Fifita, look for Hamlin-Uele to make a similar impact on Thursday night as he eyes off an upgraded deal in the final year of his contract.
The favourite: Coming off a major scalp over last year's grand finalists, the Sharks are expected to account for one of the NRL's perennial battlers.
My tip: While the Sharks have been plagued by inconsistency throughout 2019, the confidence gained from last Friday's performance should propel them to a dominant win on the road. Sharks by 13.
