NRL Round 27: Titans 34, Bulldogs 30

September 3, 2023

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The Titans ended their season on a high as they emerged 34-30 victors over the Bulldogs in a high-scoring affair

Result

Gold Coast Titans 34
Tries: (6) Kieran Foran 12th, 20th, 53rd; AJ Brimson 37th, Kruise Leeming 64th; Alofiana Khan-Pereira
Goals: (5) Aaron Schoupp 13th, 22nd, 38th, 54th,

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 30
Tries: (6) Josh Addo-Carr 32nd, 59th, 71st; Kurtis Morrin 50th; Blake Wilson 80th
Goals: (5) Matt Burton 33rd, 51st, 60th, 72nd, 80th

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Titans veteran half Kieran Foran turned back the clock, scoring a hat-trick as he guided his side to a 34-30 win over the Bulldogs in their final game of the season.

Foran scored the first hat-trick of his career as the 34-year-old pulled all the right reins to cap off what was a disappointing seasons for both sides.

The Titans had a reshuffle before kick-off, with Chris Randall and Jojo Fifita ruled out, bringing Iszac Fa’asumaleaui and Joseph Vuna into the fold, while Ryan Sutton moved into the starting side for the Bulldogs with Sam Hughes dropping out.

Foran opened the scoring after an error-riddled opening to the game, slicing his way through the Bulldogs to score under the posts. Aaron Schoupp converted the extras.

Foran would make it a double 10 minutes later as he dummied his way through the line to extend the lead to 12 following Schoupp’s conversion.

The Bulldogs then took their chance to get on the scoreboard, courtesy of an incredible solo run from Josh Addo-Carr, as the speedster burned the defenders down the wing on his way to the line.

AJ Brimson then took his chance to show his class as the fullback-turned-centre burst into the backfield and showed his pace, leaving defenders grasping at air on his way to the line, and restoring the Titans’ 12-point advantage heading into the break.

The Bulldogs would be first on the board in the second half, when Blake Wilson leapt above the pack before offloading to Kurtis Morrin, who found himself in open pasture on the wing. Burton would reduce the Bulldogs’ deficit to six points with his sideline conversion.

Foran would score his third try of the match with another dummy and run close to the line to once again return the lead to two converted tries.

Addo-Carr added to his own personal tally when he showed his blinding pace to cross to tighten up the scoreline with less than 20 minutes to go.

Tries to Kruise Leeming and Alofiana Khan-Pereira would wrap up the game for the Titans, while consolation tries to Addo-Carr and Wilson would see the sides separated by just four points at the final whistle.

A knee injury to Dolphins-bound outside back Jake Averillo, as well as a Category 1 concussion for Titans front rower Jaimin Joliffe, were the major concerns coming out of this clash.