Titans v Sea Eagles preview

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Gold Coast Titans v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Friday 8:00pm at Cbus Super Stadium, Robina / Yugambeh

Both sides look for resolve for the run home

The Gold Coast Titans are looking for consistency on both sides of the ball when they take on a Manly Sea Eagles side that has completed its soul searching after last week's 16-0 collapse against Newcastle.

It's been a rough year for the Titans, losing star fullback Keano Kini early due to a neck injury, while rugby convert Carter Gordon has yet to see the field due to a similar issue. Despite that, they have criminally underperformed this season, with disappointing results aplenty, including a 30-point derby loss to the Broncos. Des Hasler is fighting tooth and nail to save his job and needs to see his side turn it around.

To beat Manly, they need to go back to basics and refine their game. Given their current predicament, it's not unfair to say that they are overtrying in search of results. If they go back to playing grinding football and then spreading the ball when they've earned the right through the middle third, they are a dangerous side. But, a point of discontent has been their bench usage, while they have forwards on the field that can play big minutes, Hasler hasn't trusted his young brigade of forwards nearly as much as he should have. 

It doesn't get any easier with Hasler missing his two big forwards up front, with Mo Fotuaika and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui missing on Origin duty, Klese Haas starts at lock and Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui joins the bench. They did get a solid from QLD coach Billy Slater, who dropped Beau Fermor from the Maroons squad and will take his place in the back row. Elsewhere, there is an NRL debut for Josh Patston while Tuki Simpkins makes his club debut on the bench. Sam Verills has been named in the reserves and could return from a hand injury.

For Manly, it's been a season full of disappointment so far despite their ladder position. There is too much talent for this team to be as inconsistent as they have been throughout the season and that showed during the collapse to the Newcastle Knights on Thursday night. Yes, the loss of Tom Trbojevic has been significant, even when he came back he was looking less than 75%. His return this week will be major in a number of ways. 

For this clash with the Titans, they just have to frustrate them into submission. Force errors and build consistent pressure. That will earn them the right to throw the football around and play with ruthless attacking flare that saw them dismantle the Broncos a fortnight ago at Brookvale Oval. They shouldn't have to worry about impact off the bench given the aforementioned Hasler policy of refusing to play two guys for beyond 25 minutes… 

Onto team news, as mentioned Tommy Turbo is back at fullback following the concussion suffered by Lehi Hopoate last Thursday. Elsewhere, the controversial dropping of QLD captain Daly Cherry-Evans sees him take his place at halfback. Jason Saab (illness) is also set to return. In the pack, the return of Siosiua Taukeiaho (calf) sees Jazz Tevaga revert to the bench and Toafofoa Sipley move to 18th man.

Last meeting: Round 20 2024 - Sea Eagles 38 Titans 8

Who to watch: It would be almost like nullifying the article if we didn't highlight Tom Trbojevic and his return from another leg injury. It felt like on his return that he wasn't out in stride like we are used to seeing. Hopefully the time off did him some wonders and he comes back with vengeance against the Titans, just like he did in Round 6, 2021 where on return he ran riot against the Titans.

For the Titans, pressure is building on Jayden Campbell. Yes he has been shifted around from six to fullback on several occasions but he is yet to find his consistency this season so far. He has had his brilliant moments but then there's been times where he has gone missing throughout the season. Look for Campbell to play a vital role in picking the Titans up off the canvas against Manly.

Favourite: Manly are favourites with the bookies in this fixture.

My tip: Manly will be too strong in this one. The Titans have been a real disappointment this season and the decision to fire Justin Holbrook is one that will be written about as one of the worst coach firings in NRL history if their fortunes do not change. DCE in particular will be out for a big one after his dropping from the QLD side so expect points a plenty. Manly by 18.

1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Allan Fitzgibbon 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 20. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas 14. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 15. Iszac Fa'asumaleaui 16. Josh Patston 17. Tukimihia Simpkins 18. Arama Hau 19. Tom Weaver

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Ethan Bullemor 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Corey Waddell 17. Nathan Brown 18. Toafofoa Sipley 19. Clayton Faulalo

Referees: Peter Gough; Sideline Officials: Chris Sutton, David Munro; Video Referees: Chris Butler;