Round 6: Titans v Dragons preview
Cellar dwellers face off in must-win encounter.
Managing just five wins combined over the past twelve months, the Gold Coast Titans and St George Illawarra Dragons will be desperate to come away with two premiership points on Saturday afternoon.
Unable to keep up with the Rabbitohs during the opening quarter of last Saturday's 32-12 loss at Bankwest Stadium, the Gold Coast Titans have shown moments of promise since the season resumption.
Going toe-to-toe with opposition teams for long stretches only to concede multiple tries in quick succession, new coach Justin Holbrook will be eager to gauge the reaction of his players as they face a Dragons team coming off their first win of the season.
Naming former Wests Tigers utility Corey Thompson at fullback for his club debut, the ensuing backline reshuffle will see Phillip Sami shift to the wing and Brian Kelly move to centre in place of Dale Copley (ankle).
Breaking through for a sorely needed 30-16 win against the Sharks last Sunday, the St George Illawarra Dragons will be hoping to continue a dominant record over the Titans in recent times.
Winning seven out of ten clashes during Paul McGregor's tenure as coach, the joint venture will need to overcome a poor record at Suncorp Stadium which has yielded just two wins from their past 13 visits.
Keeping the faith with the same squad that triumphed at Campbelltown Stadium six days earlier, Ben Hunt will wear the number 14 jersey following a confidence-building performance as an impact hooker against Cronulla.
Saturday afternoon will be the first time the two teams have met at Suncorp Stadium since the Titans hosted the Dragons in their first premiership match back in 2007.
Last meeting: Round 25 2019 - Titans 16 Dragons 24
Who to watch: Returning to the NRL following an 18-month stint as a Mormon missionary, former Melbourne outside back Young Tonumaipea has made an immediate impact for his new club. Averaging 120 metres and 14 runs per game over the past fortnight, the 27-year-old Samoan international has relished the stability of playing at right centre having deviated throughout the backline during his five seasons under Craig Bellamy. Hoping to secure his long-term future after penning a train-and-trial deal during the competition shutdown, Tonumaipea looms as an underrated player capable of paving the way for Justin Holbrook to lead the Titans out of the doldrums.
Providing the Dragons with a much-needed injection of attacking spark last Sunday, Matt Dufty will be looking to recapture the form that saw him light up the NRL two years ago. Enduring a difficult time over the past 18 months with various spine combinations and emerging youngsters blocking his path to the number one jersey, the 24-year-old speedster produced one of the best performances of his career against the Sharks with a try, two assists and 184 running metres. Attracting interest from the Titans for an immediate release, look for Dufty to build on last week's performance and affirm his place as the Dragons' first-choice fullback.
The favourite: Having broken through for their first win since the final round of last season, the Dragons are expected to account for their work-in-progress opponents.
My tip: If the Dragons can build on last week's performance they should get the job done. If the Titans can grind away for 80 minutes they are capable of pulling off an upset. Dragons by 4 (with very little confidence).
