Queenslander
29-07-07, 08:51 AM
Brave Titans inspire Choppy
Greg Davis
July 29, 2007 12:00am
THE Gold Coast's return to rugby league's big time must be considered a success even if the Titans fade from finals contention.
That's the view of foundation Gold Coast Giants player Chris Close, who says John Cartwright's men can be proud of their efforts this year despite a late-season stumble.
The Gold Coast took a four-match losing streak into last night's clash with Souths at Telstra Stadium and face a titanic task to qualify for the playoffs, needing at least four wins from their last six games.
The Titans have spent more than their fair share of time in the top eight ? rising to as high as fourth ? but have buckled under the competition's worst injury toll.
Close ? who played 50 games for the Coast from 1988 to 1991 ? said the Gold Coast had battled manfully through the horror injury run and that determination would hold the club in good stead in years to come.
"I think when Johnny Cartwright sits down to review the season he can only think it's been a success given what the side has been up against with all the injuries," Close said.
"I said at the start of the year that if the Titans won as many games as they lost it would be a overwhelming success and they are not far off that mark now (the Titans were 8-10 before last night). The injuries have hit them hard at the worst possible time but that doesn't mean they can't finish off the year really well.
"The fringe blokes who have come into the side have to aim up now for the Gold Coast's sake and their own sake and they can still finish the season strongly and give the club an even better base to work off next year.
"With guys like John Cartwright, Trevor Gillmeister and Scott Sattler involved in the organisation, those blokes shouldn't know the meaning of the words 'give up'.
"They have done so well this year, they really have, so it would be a shame if they stopped fighting now but I don't think it is going to happen given the blokes in charge down there."
Close addressed Titans players before their historic Round 1 clash with St George Illawarra at Suncorp Stadium.
He said the expectations of Titans players and management were far greater than those of the rugby league public, with some pundits predicting a wooden-spoon finish.
"Given the side that Michael Searle and his team had assembled I thought that was fair enough, too, that they aimed high," Close said.
"They set the bar up there and had a pretty decent old crack at it too so they shouldn't be too disappointed with themselves."
The Sunday Mail
Greg Davis
July 29, 2007 12:00am
THE Gold Coast's return to rugby league's big time must be considered a success even if the Titans fade from finals contention.
That's the view of foundation Gold Coast Giants player Chris Close, who says John Cartwright's men can be proud of their efforts this year despite a late-season stumble.
The Gold Coast took a four-match losing streak into last night's clash with Souths at Telstra Stadium and face a titanic task to qualify for the playoffs, needing at least four wins from their last six games.
The Titans have spent more than their fair share of time in the top eight ? rising to as high as fourth ? but have buckled under the competition's worst injury toll.
Close ? who played 50 games for the Coast from 1988 to 1991 ? said the Gold Coast had battled manfully through the horror injury run and that determination would hold the club in good stead in years to come.
"I think when Johnny Cartwright sits down to review the season he can only think it's been a success given what the side has been up against with all the injuries," Close said.
"I said at the start of the year that if the Titans won as many games as they lost it would be a overwhelming success and they are not far off that mark now (the Titans were 8-10 before last night). The injuries have hit them hard at the worst possible time but that doesn't mean they can't finish off the year really well.
"The fringe blokes who have come into the side have to aim up now for the Gold Coast's sake and their own sake and they can still finish the season strongly and give the club an even better base to work off next year.
"With guys like John Cartwright, Trevor Gillmeister and Scott Sattler involved in the organisation, those blokes shouldn't know the meaning of the words 'give up'.
"They have done so well this year, they really have, so it would be a shame if they stopped fighting now but I don't think it is going to happen given the blokes in charge down there."
Close addressed Titans players before their historic Round 1 clash with St George Illawarra at Suncorp Stadium.
He said the expectations of Titans players and management were far greater than those of the rugby league public, with some pundits predicting a wooden-spoon finish.
"Given the side that Michael Searle and his team had assembled I thought that was fair enough, too, that they aimed high," Close said.
"They set the bar up there and had a pretty decent old crack at it too so they shouldn't be too disappointed with themselves."
The Sunday Mail