Round 15: Titans v Wests Tigers preview
When you think of Thursday night blockbusters, Titans v Tigers isn't necessarily the clash that comes to mind - especially after last years debacle of a contest in Round 4 - but here we go again, as two sides looking to get back into the winners circle battle it out.
If games were played for 40 minutes instead of 80 minutes, the Gold Coast Titans would be sitting comfortably at the top ladder with some strong performances in the first halves of matches so far. Sadly for them, Rugby League is played over 80 minutes and their inability to replicate their form in the second half of matches has seen the Titans slip to sit 13th on the NRL ladder just five wins from their 13 games this season.
Last weekend, it was another second half fadeout as they took a strong start and squandered it completely, conceding 30 unanswered points to South Sydney, before a late consolation try to go from a 22-16 led to a 46-28 defeat. The Titans started strongly, controlling the game and looking strong through the first forty, but errors then cost them dearly, giving up possession cheaply and defensive lapses added to the hurt.
There's a shake-up for the Titans this week with the loss of key players but the return of others. AJ Brimson is a welcome inclusion, returning at fullback. The positive of his return is outweighed by the big loss of David Fifita who suffered delayed concussion symptoms. They've also lost Chris Randall to suspension after a Hip-Drop tackle last week. Sam Verrills moves back into the starting lineup at hooker for him, whilst Kruise Leeming is added to the bench.
Sometimes a win-loss record doesn't tell the full story of a teams fortune and that is the story of the Wests Tigers who have had 3 wins from their 12 games but their wins have been important with victories over the Panthers, Dragons and their history making victory over the Cowboys in Round 12.
Off the back of putting 66 points past the Cowboys, the Tigers were coming off the bar, but put in an average performance last weekend against the Raiders. Despite only losing by a point, they never reached any great heights - falling 18-0 behind until a ten-minute period where the Raiders lost a player to the sin bin and they got themselves back into the game. Taking a 19-18 lead late, a piece of foul play from Isaiah Papali'i gave the Raiders a match winning penalty goal and the final score read 19-20, another loss for the merged club.
Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has named the same squad that he took into the game against the Raiders. The only change that is expected to be made is the return of Api Koroisau to the starting side after starting from the bench last week after playing in Origin 1 just two nights prior to their last match.
Last meeting: Round 1 2023 - Wests Tigers 10 Titans 22
Who to watch: The return of AJ Brimson is a big one for the Titans in the fullback role, where he steadies and control the ship from the back. The x-factor that Brimson tends to bring will be a big benefit for the Gold Coast, having lost David Fifita this week.
The opposing number one, Jahream Bula has made a big impact in just a handful of NRL games so far this season. The Tigers youngster came into the NRL with big wraps and hasn't disappointed with a strong defensive game along with a big impact in attack.
Favourite: A home-field advantage is giving the Titans the favouritism.
My tip: This is a game that you could pick 22 times and probably end up with different results of what would happen every time. Neither side has found any true consistency at all this season and the Titans can start fast which could blow the Tigers off the park but the second half is going to be key because if Titans start fast they need to back it up in the second forty because the Tigers won't disappear.
The Titans should just have enough but it will be a tight contest that hinges more on the second half than what happens in the first. Titans by 4.
