Gold Coast Titans won a game of rugby league against Wests Tigers tonight, 8-6, at Robina Stadium.
It took 79 minutes but we got some excitement in a rugby league game that bordered on unwatchable. Titans take the two points after AJ Brimson pounced on a loose ball from a Jock Madden error in a game which never reached any heights.
Games like tonight are those where fans of the losing side are left to ponder why they invest themselves emotionally in sports contests and the chosen laundry which make up their alliegance. For the winners, it is take the points and run. You won a game, now go enjoy a drink of your choice and move onto next week like all the good rugby league cliches say you should.
Both teams were desperate headed into this game and it showed in the football. There were errors, dumb penalties and even a sin-bin to Tyrone Peachey in a first half where birds could've set up base in the in-goals. The only points came from the boot of Luke Brooks and Toby Sexton, for a 2-all scoreline. Yep, you right that right.
There were slight signs of life in the second half. Titans spread the ball early and David Fifita rumbled past several defenders. Sadly, the next play was a knock on. That just summed up this game of supposedly professional rugby league. Two sides keen not to lose so all the skilled plays were put to bed earlier than children.
Wests Tigers looked like they might get their maiden win in 2022 after a pair of Luke Brooks penalty goals made it 6-2 inside the final five minutes. The second was a curious decision as it gave the Titans one final chance to win the contest.
Then it happened. Like a car crash in slow motion. Sexton put up a high kick which flicked the post, wrong footed Tigers defenders before Madden was unable to ground the ball and it left it sitting up like a golden goose. The five-eighth put his hand on the ball and gave the Titans their second win in a season which has already tested the will power of their supporters in high regard.
For the Tigers. What else is there to say. The joint venture seem to find new ways to shoot themselves in the foot and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. This loss will only heap more pressure on coach Michael Maguire He must be right near the edge of the plank to walk off after this torrid start to the 2022 season.
Gold Coast Titans; take the two points and burn the tape of this contest. It wasn't a classic but it wasn't another loss after their heartbreaker against the Canberra Raiders last weekend in the capital. There were some positive signs with the club debut of Jamayne Isaako in a clash which won't live long in anyone's memory, thankfully.