Round 5: Titans v Knights NRLW preview
NRLW action heads to Suncorp Stadium for the first time in three years on Sunday afternoon for the double header where the Gold Coast Titans will look to build on their victory last weekend when they take on the Newcastle Knights who are looking for their first win of the season.
Last weekend, the Titans surprised many when they were able to take out the first NRLW Queensland Derby last Saturday afternoon when they scored a 28-26 victory over the Brisbane Broncos handing their local rivalries their first defeat of the season.
The Titans had mixed their form leading into the contest last Saturday with just the one victory coming a fortnight ago against the Roosters before falling to a 28-14 against Parramatta. The Gold Coast started fast last weekend and even though the Broncos were able to come back and match the Titans, the Gold Coast were able to match the Titans in every facet and eventually a sixty-seventh minute penalty goal gave the Titans the match winning two-point lead.
Injuries and suspensions have forced Gold Coast Coach Jamie Feeney to name just a 20 player squad with the biggest blow coming with star Evania Pelite ruled out with an ankle injury. This has meant that Shaniah Power moves into the centres with Tiana Raftrand-Smith to the second row.
Without being too harsh, embarrassing is the word for what the Newcastle Knights delivered to their home fans last weekend after going down 40-4 to the St George Illawarra Dragons, in a score that could have been a lot bigger if it wasn't for some poor Dragons goal kicking.
The Knights were torn to shreds by the Red ‘V' during both halves of football and it wasn't an isolated location where the Knights defence was fragile. During the first half, the Dragons took advantage of getting on the outside of the Newcastle defenders on both sides and made easy work of scoring. The second half, it was through the middle of the park and the Knights will need to improve significantly.
Knights coach Casey Bromilow has kept his faith with the line-up, making just two changes with Georgia Page returning to the starting line-up after missing last week through concussion whilst Ngatokotoru Arakua returns from suspension.
Who to watch: After starring for the Titans in the second-row last week, Shaniah Power has been moved to the centres and will need to stand up again with big shoes to fill replacing Evania Pelite. Power who has made four appearances this season for the Titans has been a strong performer coming off the bench, but made her true impact last week starting in the second row. The Knights will need to watch Power on the edge.
Knights captain Romy Teitzel has shown glimpses of form this season, but this weekend she really needs to stand up and find some form and lead her side after a worrying performance last week. The former Bronco will get a confidence boost playing back in her home state and she and the Knights will hope that it gets them a much-needed win.
The favourite: Unsurprisingly, the Titans are heavy favourites to win the contest in Brisbane given their superior form.
My tip: It's hard to go past the Titans; To beat the Broncos is no mean feat and doing that should give them extra confidence to go past the Knights who are struggling. Titans by 16.
