Round 4: Titans v Wests Tigers preview
Defence to take a back seat in make-or-break encounter
The premiership may be less than a month old, but for the Gold Coast Titans and the Wests Tigers, the opening match of Round 4 looms as a fixture verging on must-win proportions.
Squandering multiple leads over the opening rounds, including an embarrassing collapse in Canberra last week, the Gold Coast Titans will be desperate to atone on home soil in order to regain a 50 per cent success rate.
Leading the Raiders 22-0 on the cusp of halftime before imploding to lose 24-22 last Saturday, coach Justin Holbrook has resisted the urge to make large scale changes in an effort to hold players accountable for their performances for the duration of matches.
Handing recent acquisition Jamayne Isaako a club debut with Jayden Campbell sidelined (ribs), Corey Thompson replaces Phillip Sami (covid) on the wing, while former captain Kevin Proctor is set to become the 19th player to reach 100 first grade appearances for the club.
Winning six of their past eight matches against the Tigers, including both fixtures contested during Holbrook's tenure at the club, the Titans have a difficult run in the coming weeks against Parramatta, Manly and North Queensland, making Thursday night all the more crucial given the standing of their lowly opponents.
Sitting alone at the bottom of the league ladder as the only side yet to win a game this season, the Wests Tigers will be aiming to quell their critics with a win in Thursday night football for the first time since the onset of the pandemic.
Failing to capitalise on their opportunities during last Friday's 16-12 defeat to the Warriors, coach Michael Maguire has been dealt a further blow with Stefano Utoikamanu sustaining a syndesmosis injury expected to sideline the up-and-coming prop for an extended period.
As part of the reshuffled line up, Zane Musgrove starts up front, while Ken Maumalo (ankle), James Roberts (quad) and Kelma Tuilagi (concussion) return to the starting side after sitting out last week with respective injuries.
Holding a 50 per cent record from ten matches against the Titans at CBUS Super Stadium, a loss on Thursday night would see the Tigers start the year with a 0-4 record for only the second time, whilst facing a difficult run in the weeks ahead against Cronulla, Parramatta and South Sydney.
Last meeting: Round 9 2021 - Wests Tigers 28 Titans 36
Who to watch: In a side that has struggled for consistency during the early rounds, second-rower Beau Fermor has been a shining light on the left edge for the Titans. Establishing himself as a starting player to the extent Kiwi veteran Kevin Proctor has been relegated to the bench, the 23-year-old Queenslander has thrived from the show of confidence by his coach with two tries, two try-assists and close to 100 running metres on average. Penning an extended deal to remain on the Gold Coast until the end of 2024, Fermor could emerge as a development player for the Maroons if his form over the past 18 months is indicative of things to come.
Coming up against his former club for the first time on Thursday evening, Tyrone Peachey will have a point to prove as the Tigers look to open their 2022 account. Starting his time at the joint venture off the bench despite being touted as a contemporary ball-playing lock during the pre-season, the 30-year-old former New South Wales utility has yet to produce his best, averaging 54 running metres and 24 tackles in 52 minutes of game time over the opening three rounds. Returning to the Gold Coast needing one more four-pointer to bring up 50 tries in first grade, expect Peachey to play with added purpose in a bid to lift the Tigers off the bottom of the ladder.
The favourite: Starting the match as short-priced favourites despite an embarrassing showing in the second half last week, the Titans are expected to bounce back and continue a solid record at home, having won five of their past seven matches dating back to the end of last season.
My tip: With neither side showing the defensive resolve required to win matches with minimal points this season, the attacking capabilities shown by Justin Holbrook's men should get the Titans over the line in a high-scoring encounter. Titans by 12.
