Todd Warren previews the Titans vs Raiders from Kogarah Oval: a match-up between two of the most unpredictable teams in the comp, both on two wins out of three in 2021.
TEAM NEWS
Venue: Jubilee Stadium, Date: 3/4, Time: 7:45pm (local)
Titans Team
- AJ Brimson
- Anthony Don
- Phillip Sami
- Patrick Herbert
- Corey Thompson
- Tanah Boyd
- Jamal Fogarty
- Jarrod Wallace
- Mitch Rein
- Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
- Kevin Proctor
- David Fifita
- Tyrone Peachey
- Moeaki Fotuaika
- Sam Lisone
- Jaimin Jolliffe
- Erin Clark
- Beau Fermor
- Herman Ese’ese
- Sam McIntyre
- Brian Kelly
Team Changes
IN: Beau Fermor, Brian Kelly
OUT:
Raiders Team
- Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
- Bailey Simonsson
- Jarrod Croker
- Sebastian Kris
- Jordan Rapana
- Jack Wighton
- George Williams
- Josh Papalii
- Josh Hodgson
- Dunamis Lui
- Hudson Young
- Elliott Whitehead
- Ryan Sutton
- Tom Starling
- Siliva Havili
- Iosia Soliola
- Ryan James
- Sam Williams
- Semi Valemei
- Caleb Aekins
- Emre Guler
Team Changes
IN: Dunamis Lui, Hudson Young, Sam Williams, Semi Valemei.
OUT: Curtis Scott, Joseph Tapine
Referee: Adam Gee
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Titans
It’s a home game away from home as we had a small COVID-19 outbreak in South-East QLD this week, forcing some teams to relocate. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will run out at prop again with Tyrone Peachey to start at lock. Moeaki Fotuaika will play off the bench. Brian Kelly is a chance of returning from a broken hand, but it remains to be seen where he would slot into he starting lineup with his replacement Phillip Sami playing well.
After a hard loss to the Warriors in round one, the Titans have been much improved the last two games despite them being against the struggling Broncos and Cowboys. This is a much tougher test against a high quality team.
Raiders
The Raiders had an unlucky loss to the Warriors last week (which they should have won) leaving them sixth on the table right now, but with the win against NZ they would have been sitting third. Curtis Scott is out with a rib injury and Joseph Tapine has an ankle complaint. Sebastian Kris and Ryan James need to pass concussion protocol in order to play, and James especially will be looking to play and make a big impact against his old club.
PREVIEW
Both these teams play a similar style of football. They both rely on their big forwards to get the momentum, will run from dummy half, and have plenty of strike from their back rowers and their outside backs. This should be an entertaining game either way. The battle of the fullbacks will be great, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and AJ Brimson always sniffing around the back of the ruck waiting for an opportunity to scoop up an offload or a loose ball to bust through some tired defence.
George Williams has been in fantastic form so far this season and was a very solid goalkicker with Jarrod Croker missing the first few games. He lines up against Jamal Fogarty this week, who has also been great in 2021 since earning the captaincy. He even seems to be the dominant half when Ash Taylor plays, which frees up Taylor to play more heads-up footy, which suits him well. With Taylor still out, look for Fogarty to take more responsibility to take pressure off Tanah Boyd. On that same subject I can see the Raiders targeting him, but with David Fifita and Fa’asuamaleaui on the same side as Fogarty he will be well looked after.
KEY STAT
The Raiders have won seven of the last 10 of these matchups, including the last four. Times have changed on the Gold Coast though.
The Titans lead the NRL with the most linebreaks so far this season.
PREDICTION
It’s a tough one. Both teams play an expansive brand of footy, so it should be an exciting game regardless and could go either way. While the Titans are still finding their feet, I think the Raiders will be too classy; however, a Titans win wouldn’t shock me too much either.
Raiders by six.
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