Round 2: Titans v Warriors preview
They have long been the league's great entertainers but are the Titans and Warriors serious contenders this time around?
If there was any game to sum up the reason why the Gold Coast Titans are rarely considered genuine premiership contenders, it was last week's against the Parramatta Eels.
This is a team that is a joy to watch with the ball in hand but defensively for too long the Titans have lacked the mettle and fortitude to become a more complete force in the league.
It was a problem for the Gold Coast last year and it looks like little has changed this year either.
That has to be the focus for the Titans this week as they face a Warriors side down on troops.
In many ways, the above summary of the Titans can also be applied to the Warriors, although it is hard to be critical of Nathan Brown's men given the injury news that emerged out of Saturday's game.
Shaun Johnson, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Viliami Vailea all played out the 80 minutes despite picking up injuries that will rule them out for the next few weeks.
The Warriors did well, like the Titans, to claw their way back into the game after a slow start against the Dragons but also failed to build enough pressure to hold the Red V out long enough.
In positive news for the Warriors, Reece Walsh and Matt Lodge return from suspension, seeing Kodi Nikorima dropping out and Chanel Harris-Tavita to five-eighth, where he will partner Ash Taylor.
Jesse Arthars also fills in at centre with Adam Pompey on the wing while for the Titans, they are bolstered by the return of AJ Brimson at five-eighth.
Last meeting: Round 25 2021 - Titans 44 Warriors 0
Who to watch: While Brimson's return will offer the Gold Coast yet another option in attack, it is also worth keeping an eye on fullback Jayden Campbell. The youngster tore the Warriors apart in their last meeting, scoring two tries, running for over 230 metres and busting eight tackles in an electric performance. The Titans have seemingly found a long-term spine to build around in Campbell, Brimson, Toby Sexton - although there is still some uncertainty over the solution at hooker. But regardless, Campbell will only continue to grow in confidence as his body and game develops.
On the other side of the field will be a former Titan in Ash Taylor who was supposed to be the team's franchise halfback. Instead, just a few years after making the switch from the Broncos, Taylor finds himself on a cut-price deal from the Warriors. He may not be the million-dollar man but that does not mean he can't play like one. In many ways, not having that price tag slapped on him and the pressure that comes with it could work in Taylor's favour. What won't work for him though is the countless changes this week that will have disrupted the side's rhythm and will require Taylor to adopt a more simple game plan. The former Titans halfback is capable of that though and will know the ins and outs of how to take down his ex-teammates.
The favourite: Injuries and round one form sees the Titans installed as strong favourites.
My tip: The Titans will field a very different halves pairing to the one that tore the Warriors apart last year but don't be surprised if there is a similar scoreline again. The Warriors are still figuring out their identity and the injuries won't help. Titans by 20.
