Date: Saturday March 7 2015
Venue: Robina Stadium
Kick-Off: 6pm
Titans 1 William Zillman, 2 David Mead, 3 James Roberts, 4 Josh Hoffman, 5 Kevin Gordon, 6 Aidan Sezer, 7 Daniel Mortimer, 8 Luke Douglas, 9 Kierran Moseley, 10 Edward Pettybourne, 11 Ryan James, 12 Matt Robinson, 13 Nate Myles (c) Interchange 14 Mark Ioane, 15 Lachlan Burr, 16 Matt Srama, 17 Ryan Simpkins
Wests Tigers 1 James Tedesco, 2 Kevin Naiqama, 3 Tim Simona, 4 Chris Lawrence, 5 Pat Richards, 6 Mitchell Moses, 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Aaron Woods, 9 Robbie Farah (c) , 10 Keith Galloway, 11 Curtis Sironen , 12 Sauaso Sue, 13 Dene Halatau Interchange 14 Ava Seumanufagai, 15 Martin Taupau, 16 Matthew Lodge, 17 Brenden Santi, 18 Kyle Lovett
Preview
The Gold Coast Titans will be hoping to put behind their off-field problems as they go head-to-head with Wests Tigers at Robina on Saturday night.
It’s been a well documented off-season for the struggling Queensland franchise starting off with James Roberts in trouble with the law and several Titans players including Dave Taylor and Greg Bird caught up in the Queensland CCC drug investigations. Moving out of the failed Centre of Excellence and having to move training locations after the drug bombshell a few weeks back one has to wonder what their mindset will be at. The only good news – Neil Henry confirmed as coach. Oh what he would have been thinking now after a dismal off-season!
A problem for the Titans was their inability to win at home in 2014 where they won just three home matches. In the corresponding game last year it was Pat Richards with twenty-two points help the Tigers put a score on the home side by the tune of 42-12.
The Titans have the players to win this contest and a fit Aidan Sezer will help their cause. Nate Myles has the responsibility of leading from the front after the retirements of Bailey and Harrison in particular at the end of last season. Keep an eye on Kierran Moseley. Gets his chance with Beau Falloon stood down but has the potential to be a week in week out player. Watch his speed out of dummy half.
As for the Tigers they can’t expect to turn up and go through the motions of beating a team wounded through the heart. Compared to the Titans it’s been a less disruptive summer despite the change of coach with Jason Taylor taking the helm after Michael Potter was dumped as coach at the end of last season. It’s a good outfit that will push some of the top contenders but they must get off to a flyer with a win here against a lower ranked competitor.
Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses should be able to dictate terms this weekend and steer the side home. Tigers fans will be hopeful that Chris Lawrence can return stronger and better after a not-so-good 2014 where form eluded the once superstar of the game.
Prediction All signs lead to a Tigers victory but not without resistance from the Titans. Tigers by 8
