Gold Coast v Canterbury preview

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Gold Coast Titans v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Saturday 3:00pm at Cbus Super Stadium, Robina / Yugambeh

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs fly up to Queensland for the 2nd time in two weeks, this time heading to Cbus Super Stadium in Robina to face the Gold Coast Titans.

Both teams come into this matchup on the back of Magic Round losses. Gold Coast copped the full brunt of a Penrith onslaught, copping 30 points to nil in the first half, to eventually go down 48-12. 

Canterbury backed up their worst performance of the season the week before with arguably an even worse effort, this time a feeble capitulation against an 11 man Canberra Raiders outfit, coughing up a 12-8 lead with 13 minutes to go, to somehow go down 20-18.

In team news, the Titans are forced into a number of changes, now missing Tyrone Peachey, Herman Ese'ese and David Fifita to suspensions.

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui moves to lock, Moeaki Fotuaika comes in to start at prop, Sam Stone and Erin Clark come in on the bench. Of added interest is the addition of Ash Taylor to the extended squad, which may lead to a late matchday inclusion.

For the Bulldogs, coach Trent Barrett has handed young Aaron Schoupp a debut, he will start in the centres. Matt Doorey gets a start, at the expense of Adam Elliott, who quite frankly should count himself lucky to even get a bench spot.

Speaking of which, Dylan Napa returns to the side via the bench, replacing Ofahiki Ogden. Nick Meaney, with more positional changes than Mia Khalifa, now moves to the wing. Brandon Wakeham retains his spot in the havles.

These teams only seem to play each other once a year, with the Bulldogs edging the last 5 encounters by 3 wins to 2.

Their last meeting, in Round 17 of the 2020 Covid Cup, went to the Titans 18-14.

Last meeting: Round 17 2020 - Bulldogs 14 Titans 18

Who to watch: For the Titans, I'll be most interested in seeing Tino Fa'asuamaleaui at lock, where he played so well in last year's State of Origin series for Queensland.

He is one of my favourite players to watch, and I have no doubt he'll give my beloved Bulldogs lots of trouble on Saturday.

For the Bulldogs, it's the new look starting forward pack of Seumanufagai, Thompson, Doorey, Smith and Atoni.

They need to lead the way with hard, straight running, if the Bulldogs are to be any chance on Saturday.

The favourite: Gold Coast are comfortable favourites.

My tip: The Titans will have to put in an absolute howler to lose this. If they are on point, then they'll use this match to boost their for and against. Gold Coast by 18.

1. Alexander Brimson 2. Anthony Don 3. Brian Kelly 4. Esan Marsters 5. Phillip Sami 6. Tanah Boyd 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Moeaki Fotuaika 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 14. Erin Clark 15. Sam Stone 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Sam McIntyre 18. Jai Whitbread

1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2. Nick Cotric 3. Will Hopoate 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Nick Meaney 6. Brandon Wakeham 7. Jake Averillo 8. Ava Seumanufagai 9. Sione Katoa 10. Luke Thompson 11. Matt Doorey 12. Chris Smith 16. Adam Elliott 14. Bradley Deitz 15. Corey Waddell 13. Renouf Atoni 17. Dylan Napa 23. Ofahiki Ogden

Referees: Matt Cecchin; Sideline Officials: Jon Stone, Tyson Brough; Video Referees: Chris Butler;