Round 2: Titans v Knights NRLW preview
The third and final of this weekend's NRLW games sees the Gold Coast Titans looking to ensure they don't fall behind the top teams as they go up against a confidence filled Newcastle Knights side at Cbus Super Stadium.
There were high expectations on the Titans and simply they didn't meet them last week in their 26-12 defeat to the Dragons last week. The Titans were poor last week with ill-discipline costing them and a lack of threatening attack noted by the fact their two tries were scored right at the end of each half by veteran Steph Hancock from close range.
It was hardly a debut that new Titans coach Karyn Murphy was looking for with the Jillaroos legend having to clean up the Gold Coast game that saw her side concede 9 penalties and 10 errors in the game that handed possession over to the Dragons frequently. The Gold Coast will also need to look at their attack which lacked composure and any real threat.
The Titans have elected to only make one change to their 17 for this week's contest with Roxy Murdoch dropping back to the reserves with Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell coming onto the bench although further changes could be made later in the week.
The Newcastle Knights were the only side in the competition not to have a victory in the 2021 season, but strong off-season recruitment saw them start 2022 in perfect style with a historic first ever victory with their 32-14 victory over the Brisbane Broncos last week.
It was a bittersweet game for the Knights with the maiden victory coming at a cost with Hannah Southwell suffering an ACL injury. The Knights were almost perfect from the get go with 17-year-old Jesse Southwell starring and the key recruits of Millie Boyle and Tamika Upton doing the job as the Knights looked like a well-oiled machine in comparison to some of the others.
As mentioned above, the Knights have lost one of their key recruits Hannah Southwell for that season ending ACL injury. Simone Karpani who impressed off the bench last week has been named to start whilst Makenzie Weale comes onto the bench in the only change.
Last meeting: Round 5 2021 - Titans 14 Knights 10
Who to watch: Coming off one of her poorest games in NRLW history, Brittany Breayley-Nati will be hoping for a better effort than she delivered last week for the home side. The Titans number 9 had a poor day with her hands and service which let the Titans down all afternoon and caused a number of errors. The better service from dummy half this week is going to be important if the Titans want to pull off the upset.
17-year-old Jesse Southwell had a big reputation with her sister Hannah stating she was the best player she's ever played with and requiring an exemption for the NRLW; the pressure was on big time. Thankfully, for the viewing public and the Knights the performance was a stand out and had a calmness of a player 10 years older. The Knights will be relying on Southwell to get them off to a good start like they did last week.
The favourite: Newcastle are well backed to get their second win.
My tip: Titans are a side that I like and they can't be as bad as last week but there is just something attractive about the Newcastle side. The calmness in the halves, the guidance from the back of Tamika Upton who can play a key attacking role and the a strong forward pack lead by Millie Boyle should see the Knights hold onto victory. Knights by 12.
