Jem Nash previews the round eight battle as the Gold Coast Titans hope to bounce back against the undefeated Panthers.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Gold Coast Titans Vs Penrith Panthers
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium
Date: Friday April 29, 6:00pm AEST
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Related: NRL Team List Tuesday
Embed from Getty ImagesTitans: 1. Alexander Brimson 2. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Will Smith 7. Toby Sexton 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Erin Clark 10. Isaac Liu 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Tanah Boyd 15. Sam Lisone 16. Herman Ese’ese 17. Kevin Proctor 18. Jamayne Isaako 19. Jarrod Wallace 20. Sam McIntyre 21. Esan Marsters 22. Paul Turner 23. Corey Thompson 24. Jayden Campbell
Justin Holbrook has made a number of changes in the backline with Brimson the starting fullback, pushing Isaako to the reserves and Will Smith to five-eighth. Phillip Sami is back on the wing with Patrick Herbert returning to centre and Fifita back into the second row. Kevin Proctor will start from the bench while Moeaki Fotuaika is named to start at prop with Jaimin Jolliffe out with a calf injury. Tanah Boyd and Herman Ese’ese join the bench with Jarrod Wallace dropping to the reserves.
Embed from Getty ImagesPanthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Taylan May 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Matthew Eisenhuth 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Robert Jennings 19. Chris Smith 20. J’maine Hopgood 21. Lindsay Smith 22. Mitch Kenny 23. Christian Crichton 24. Sean O’Sullivan
The Panthers side remains the same following last week’s 30-point win over the Panthers, with Soni Luke keeping his spot on the bench after his impressive debut.
Referee: Peter Gough
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
The Titans are going to need quite the form turnaround if they want to challenge the Panthers in this one. After some solid outings in recent weeks, Gold Coast was completely humbled by the Cowboys last week in a 30-4 loss. They were their own worst enemy with some poor discipline constantly giving their opposition good field position which the Cowboys were able to capitalise on.
The Titans face their toughest test of the year against a Panthers side that has not slowed down. They were completely dominant in their 36-6 win over the Raiders last week, starving them of ball and field position. It’s going to take a special performance from the Titans to stop this juggernaut.
Justin Holbrook has made some changes in the hope of creating some spark. Brimson at fullback should be able to free him up, although Jayden Campbell is a chance of making a return after being listen among the reserves. If both players take the field, the Titans will need them at their absolute best to be any chance.
It should just be business as usual for the Panthers. Allow their outside backs to get their sets started right, Yeo and Fisher-Harris can roll through the middle and then Cleary’s kicking game can do the rest before their superb defence pins them in their own half.
Embed from Getty ImagesINTERESTING FACT
It’s been all Panthers in the recent history between the two sides, winning seven of their last eight matches against the Titans.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Panthers by 20
Follow Nothing But Rugby League on Facebook
