Titans v Cowboys preview

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Gold Coast Titans v North Queensland Cowboys Sunday 4:05pm at Cbus Super Stadium, Robina / Yugambeh

After both suffering close losses last week, the Titans and Cowboys will be looking to find some redemption with their clash being the final one of the weekend. 

Getting their first win of the season against the Warriors during Round 8, the Titans showed many promising signs last week against the Storm, but they just couldn't get over the line in the end, losing by two points. 

After missing last week due to concussion protocols, Mo Fotuaika returns to the Titans side. 
Suffering a wrist injury early in the match against the Storm, Tanah Boyd is out of the squad, so Chris Randall shifts to replace him at five eighth, and Sam Verrills moves to starting hooker. Keano Kini also joins the bench in the utility role, bumping Joe Stimson out of the starting 17. 

The Cowboys suffered their fifth overall loss of the season last round, and their fourth loss in a row, where they had a half time lead over the Dolphins, but then let it slip, also being let down by their missed conversions. The North QLD side need a desperate turn around before it is too late for them to rectify the slippery slope they are heading towards. 

There is minimal change to the Cowboys side that were defeated last week. After missing the clash with the Dolphins due to a knee injury, Chad Townsend has been named to return, forcing Jake Clifford out of the side, however Townsend will have to complete the week of training to be clear for the match. Viliamiu Vailea keeps his centres spot after making his NRL debut last week, and Heilum Luki remains on the bench.

These two sides met in Round 5, where the Cowboys defeated the Titans 35-20, however the Cowboys have a poor history at Cbus Super Stadium, only winning one of their last four clashes at the Titans' home. In favour of the Cowboys, they have won four of their last five matchups against the Titans, and the Titans have had a poor record at home only winning one of their last seven. 

Last meeting: Round 5 2024 - Cowboys 35 Titans 22

Who to watch: Since shifting to fullback in Round 7, AJ Brimson has been an explosion on the field and an extremely key player to the Titans success. In the last three matches Brimson has scored four tries, made five linebreaks and one try assist.  

An important part of the Cowboys spine and playing opposite Brimson, Scott Drinkwater has had a strong start to the year. Across the opening nine matches Drinkwater has scored five of his own tries, whilst making nine try assists, leading the Cowboys side in tackle breaks and offloads, with a total of 41 and 17 respectively, and leading the competition in linebreak assists with a total of twelve. 

Favourite: The Cowboys are favoured to finally dig themselves out of their hole and add two points to their tally.

My tip:  This game could go either way, with the Titans building a more confident and stronger side as time has passed, whilst the Cowboys have been starring down the face of loss for several weeks in a row now. If the Titans can score points and keep their line defence tight, they are in for a good chance. Titans by 4.

14. Keano Kini 2. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Jojo Fifita 1. AJ Brimson 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 6. Chris Randall 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 16. Klese Haas 9. Sam Verrills 15. Erin Clark 13. Isaac Liu 17. Josiah Pahulu 18. Alofiana Khan-Pereira

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Semi Valemei 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 15. Thomas Mikaele 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Heilum Luki 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Jason Taumalolo 20. Harrison Edwards 18. Jake Granville

Referees: Wyatt Raymond; Sideline Officials: Jarrod Cole, David Munro; Video Referees: Peter Gough;

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