Round 3: Raiders v Titans preview
Inconsistent Raiders host free flowing Titans
Justin Holbrook's entertaining Titans head to the nation's capital this week where the winner will celebrate a respectable 2-1 start to the season.
Following on from an impressive come from behind victory over the Sharks, the Raiders were simply horrific on route to a lackluster loss to North Queensland.
If it's not one thing, then it seems to be something else conspiring against Ricky Stuart. A repeat of last year's unsettling injury toll has once again reared its ugly head, only this time with a sprinkle of Covid-19.
Matt Frawley directed traffic against the Cowboys, but in the absence of favoured organisers Brad Schneider and Josh Hodgson, the fumbling Raiders lurched from one error to the next like a kangaroo hopping L-plater.
And after last week's debacle, if Stuart can't put the ‘mean' back into the Green Machine then a repeat of last season's record 44-6 loss to the Titans on home turf looms large.
Assuming Schneider shakes his virus, the rookie will rejoin Jack Wighton in the halves. Nick Cotric is a welcome addition on the wing, but it's Jordan Rapana's return that is the kick in the guts Canberra need.
Fresh from suspension, the Canberra flyer not only knows how to cross the stripe but his flair through the middle alone should be enough to lift Canberra's spirits.
For the Gold Coast, with two wins from their past four in the ACT, the trip south should hold no fears. Particularly in March on a fast track before the sun sets for an icy winter.
AJ Brimson announced his seamless transition from fullback to five-eighth when he rocked the Warriors with his first touch. Now with strike power across the park and with young half Toby Sexton, the Titans look to have outgrown an unhealthy reliance on the bulldozing David Fifita.
Unfortunately for Hollbrook, his troops concede as many as they score. The 28 points they put on the Eels wasn't enough, and last week the Warriors blew multiple opportunities to put them away.
Although with the battling Tigers to follow, a win on the road could propel the boys from the Sunset Strip to a season defining three on the trot.
But in what has the hallmarks of a high scoring shootout, the Raiders with six victories from the past eight encounters won't be deterred as they set out to maintain a perfect home record.
Last meeting: Round 16 2021 - Raiders 6 Titans 44
Who to watch: Who knew Beau Fermor was so quick? Not only did the Titans back-rower keep up with Brimson's early bust against the Warriors, but he blitzed the final 30m alone to score the opening try.
Now in his third season, his 173m and five tackle breaks not only destroyed the Warriors but it would have also caught the eye of the Queensland selectors.
Restricted by injury to just eight appearances in 2021, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is treading a steady path in his comeback to the top-grade. Not alone with several uncharacteristic handling errors in Townsville, this week the fullback could come into his own against an at times lackadaisical Titans defence.
Averaging more than 170m at his best, the Kiwi international will be out to restore confidence and at least double last week's meagre 73m.
The favourite: This one is harder to split than the Morris twins, but with less than a nose in it, the bookies like the Raiders.
My tip: Brash and carefree, the Titans' attack is reminiscent of a free flowing Canberra Raiders. Easily the most expansive side of the opening two rounds, the Titans should pose too many headaches for Ricky's slow maturing combination. Titans by 10.
