Round 25: Titans v Roosters preview
Kicking off Sunday afternoon is the Gold Coast Titans hosting third place Sydney Roosters in the sunshine state.
Gold Coast Titans finals chances have been dashed like many of a lucky punter's chance at a Surfers Paradise club on Saturday night so they can play with a weight off their chest in the final three games of the season.
Trying to predict what the Titans might do is an exercise in madness but let's try! There is so much talent in their backline which should scream points and some welcome returns in the forwards as well (Mo Foutaika and Beau Fermor).
Des Hasler still has his glorious mane but how long will he keep it coaching the Titans who are rugby league's version of Jekyll and Hyde. So, tune in for this game because it could be a close affair or a blowout - we can all find out together!
Sydney Roosters on the other hand are like re-reading a book you have been through several times as the plot remains the same - lose to the top two and beat anyone teams outside the top eight.
So, Sunday sounds like a fait accompli, right? Probably but the Roosters can be inflicted by the ‘one of those days' bugs which Football Manager fans will know. They can turn up a stinker and against a Titans team full of spark it might be a recipe for disaster.
The return of triple centurion Jared Wearea-Hargreaves will give them some further punch going forward and set the platform for their star-studded backline to peck away at the Titans defense all afternoon.
Last meeting: Round 21 2023 - Titans 18 Roosters 36
Who to watch: Keano Kini has lit up the fullback position for the Titans in the last month including setting up a four-pointer with his first touch of the ball. He also had 300+ metres against the Dragons and will need another huge performance against the star-studded Roosters. Looking up front for the hosts Mo Fotuaika is back and he will be needed to muscle up against the Roosters pack and cause an upset.
For the Roosters, it is a welcome return for Jared Wearea-Hargreaves after he suspended against the Dragons a month ago and he will be ready to rip in against David Fifita. At the back, it is harder to pick than a broken nose for someone to spotlight but let's give Dom Young the rub as he will be dueling against leading try-scorer Alofiana Khan-Pereira on the edges.
FAVOURITE: This is easier than my last eye exam and I think the Roosters will head into this game as warm favourites to continue their record of stomping teams outside the top eight.
MY TIP: Can't go past a big Tricolours victory here. Roosters by 20.
