Josh Mercer previews the round 21 clash between the Gold Coast Titans and the North Queensland Cowboys. This is what we have to look forward to.
TEAM NEWS
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Date: 8/8, Time: 4:05 pm
God Coast Titans
1. Alexander Brimson
2. Greg Marzhew
3. Brian Kelly
4. Patrick Herbert
5. Corey Thompson
6. Ashley Taylor
7. Toby Sexton
8. Jarrod Wallace
9. Mitch Rein
10. Moeaki Fotuaika
11. Kevin Proctor
12. David Fifita
13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
14. Erin Clark
15. Sam Lisone
16. Beau Fermor
17. Jaimin Jolliffe
18. Esan Marsters
19. Sam McIntyre
20. Anthony Don
21. Jamal Fogarty
Team Changes
IN: Anthony Don, Erin Clark, Jamal Fogarty, Patrick Herbert.
OUT: Tyrone Peachey.
North Queensland Cowboys
1. Valentine Holmes
2. Kyle Feldt
3. Connelly Lemuelu
4. Ben Hampton
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Scott Drinkwater
7. Tom Dearden
8. Tom Gilbert
9. Reece Robson
10. Jordan McLean
11. Jason Taumalolo
12. Heilum Luki
13. Coen Hess
14. Mitchell Dunn
15. Ben Condon
16. Lachlan Burr
17. Jake Granville
18. Francis Molo
19. Daejarn Asi
20. Peter Hola
21. Shane Wright
Team Changes
IN: Ben Condon, Lachlan Burr, Peter Hola, Valentine Holmes.
OUT: Kane Bradley.
Referee: Ben Cummins
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Gold Coast Titans
The Titans looked good in their 34-6 win over the Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium last Monday. The bounce of the ball seemed to go their way at times, evident in the first half try to Esan Marsters and the second half try to Greg Marzhew. Jarrod Wallace also produced some magic as well when a well-timed offload landed in the hands of Brian Kelly for a try. The win saw the Titans move into the top eight.
North Queensland Cowboys
The Cowboys had some good moments in their game against the Broncos, however were well beaten by 37-18. Jordan Riki had a great game for the Broncos popping up every where in the lead up to tries and ended up scoring one of his own. Tom Dearden played okay against his old club in scoring a try, but would be disappointed in not getting the win.
PREVIEW
Everything went right for the Titans last week and it may well happen again this week. The Titans will be without Tyrone Peachey, but with how the team fired against the Bulldogs, they won’t miss him too much. If Toby Sexton and Ash Taylor play as well as they have been and the forwards play do their job, then they should gather some momentum as they look to stay in the top eight heading into the finals rounds of the season.
The Cowboys had some great moments against the Broncos, however they always tend to play catch up football and they simply can’t do that. They need to get off to a good start and play for the 80 minutes. There’s only five rounds left in the season and need to finish the season on a high. Valentine Holmes returns this week from a shoulder injury and his inclusion is a big plus for the Cowboys.
For either side to win then the halves will need to fire. Dearden and Drinkwater are more experienced and need to be switched on from the opening whistle if the Cowboys are to win this game. Even though it’s only been two games, Sexton and Taylor seem to have a good combination going. Taylor especially has been playing well and will need to keep that going heading into the finals.
KEY STAT
Only 0.1% separates the teams in tackle efficiency this season. The Titans are on 87.2% while the Cowboys are on 87.1%.
PREDICTION
Titans by 16.
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