Another all-Queensland clash with the Cowboys hosting the Titans at 1300SMILES Stadium. After 331 minutes of being behind on the scoreboard, the Cowboys clicked for a 26-14 win.
MATCH DETAILS
After four penalty goals in the first half-hour, North Queensland scored 20 straight points (Ben Hampton, Kyle Feldt, Jason Taumalolo, Coen Hess tries, two Johnathan Thurston goals) taking a 26-2 lead with 20 minutes left. Ashley Taylor and Jarrod Wallace scored consolation tries for the Titans.
FOUR POINTERS
SHOCKING FIRST 30
This local derby started slow and very messy! In the first 30 minutes: 12 errors, 13 penalties and four penalty goals! Our game is not union and can not only be won with penalty kicks.
ASIATA INJURED
John Asiata left the game with a shoulder injury early in the second half, with initial fears of a partial dislocation that would see him miss at least a month of footy.
BIG MEN & JT
Thurston showed he still had it and hopefully it is only the beginning. The game showed the big men’s ability to cross the line – with Hess, Taumalolo and Wallace all bagging tries. Performances such as these will see these men receive Maroons Origin selection.
JEKYLL & HYDE SYNDROME
The injury curse has hit the glitter strip, but it should not excuse the whiplash the Titans deliver fans week in and week out. One week Taylor comes out and shows why he has been regarded as one of the future stars. However, the following week he comes out and leads an ill-disciplined pack who leak errors. Even when given penalties, they simply could not turn possession into points. Coach Garth Brennan will be loud and clear this week and ready to bench key players – or so a Titans fan would hope.
THE RESULT
NORTH QUEENSLAND 26
Tries: Ben Hampton, Kyle Feldt, Jason Taumalolo, Coen Hess
Goals: Johnathan Thurston 5
Drop Goals: NA
GOLD COAST 14
Tries: Ashley Taylor, Jarrod Wallace
Goals: Michael Gordon 3
Drop Goals: NA
SQUADS
NORTH QUEENSLAND
- Lachlan Coote, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Justin O’Neill, 4. Ben Hampton, 5. Antonio Winterstein, 6. Michael Morgan, 7. Johnathan Thurston (c), 8. Matthew Scott (c), 9. Jake Granville, 10. Scott Bolton, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Coen Hess, 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. John Asiata, 16. Corey Jensen, 17. Ethan Lowe
GOLD COAST
- Michael Gordon, 2. Anthony Don, 3. Phillip Sami, 4. Konrad Hurrell, 5. Tyronne Roberts-Davis, 6. Kane Elgey, 7. Ashley Taylor, 8. Jarrod Wallace, 9. Mitch Rein, 10. Ryan James (c), 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Will Matthews, 13. Jai Arrow
Interchange: 14. Max King, 15. Bryce Cartwright, 16. Jack Stockwell, 17. Keegan Hipgrave
