Round 6: Titans v Dragons preview
For the second time in five weeks, we are going to be treated to a Titans v Dragons battle as this time the Gold Coast will play host to the Red V, who will be looking for back to back wins for the first time in 2023.
The Titans have had an up and down run of things this season like most teams. with impressive wins and some very concerning losses. Sporting a 2-wins, 2-losses record, they head into Round 6 coming off a much needed bye.
Prior to their weekend off, the Titans were far from awful in their 24-12 defeat to the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville. It was a strong performance at times, with David Fifita showing some strong form on the edge, especially in his combination with winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira who scored both the team's tries. Injuries to AJ Brimson and Kieran Foran hurt their performance in the key moments and ultimately saw them fall by twelve to the Cowboys.
Despite the week off, Brimson and Foran have failed to overcome their injury concerns, with Jayden Campbell named to start at fullback and Toby Sexton returning to the side in the five-eighth role. The Titans could be boosted by the introduction of new signing Kruise Leeming who is named on the extended bench.
Another side with a rollercoaster ride of a season has been the St George Illawarra Dragons - they started their season in Round 2 with a big win over the Titans before capitulations against the Broncos and Sharks saw them brought back to earth. Last week though, a big second half with a strong wind at their backs saw the Dragons return to the form they displayed in the Round 2 victory.
The Red V used the conditions perfectly as they scored a very impressive 38-12 victory over a depleted Dolphins side in Wollongong. The game was going to be a tale of two halves - not just given the Dragons' inability of late at the back-end of games - but because of the strong winds in Wollongong. They blitzed the second 40, running in 26 points to run out big winners.
Coach Anthony Griffin has made no changes to the 17 that took apart the Dolphins last weekend, though that side was different to what was named the previous Tuesday. Jayden Sullivan and Zane Musgrove dropped from the side for Talatau Amone and Jack DeBelin's returns - the former pair are listed as reserves for this clash.
Last meeting: Round 2 2023 - Dragons 32 Titans 18
Who to watch: With no Foran or Brimson, the Titans' attack will be centred around the play of Tanah Boyd who, whilst being a solid performer, has never provided that real "wow" moment during his NRL career to date. The Titans halfback will have to take on a strong role to combine with Sexton and Campbell - which is not a new partnership by any measure, but it is one that will come up against one of the games most experienced halves.
The spotlight has been on Dragons five-eighth Talatau Amone for a long time this year, but not for any good reasons. After making his return to the NRL last week, he can now focus on bringing positives to his team. The Dragons lacked spark in their humbling defeat against the Sharks and last week their attack looked so much better with Amone pairing up with Ben Hunt in the halves. If the Dragons want to succeed then they have to Amone firing alongside Hunt to get the win.
The favourite: The Titans are the favourites for the contest, a slight surprise given the respective performances of the two sides in their last games and the key outs for the Titans.
My tip: So much of me wants to tip the Titans but I have to go the Dragons. The losses of Brimson and Foran are the tipping point and the visitors this week looked super strong last time out against the Dolphins. The Gold Coast will want revenge but if it clicks for the Dragons again they'll run out winners. Dragons by 8.
