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DIEHARD
08-08-10, 03:14 PM
Round 23: Gold Coast Titans vs North Queensland Cowboys

Titanic
08-08-10, 05:33 PM
Is Bird back? Will the $6 million question be answered?

Supergoose
08-08-10, 11:11 PM
One word - revenge. Second word - Forandagainst.

lonegull
09-08-10, 05:54 AM
Good game to build a big margin for for and against, Thurston out, Tamou is of to the judiciary and i think may get a coupel of weeks and O'donell played the second half on one leg, Cowboys will be very vunerable i just hope titans have the same game face they have had for the last three weeks and dont get complacent

Ryan
09-08-10, 06:50 AM
Meanwhile, injured Titans utility Greg Bird is set to take his place alongside Prince for the Cowboys clash after being cleared of a hamstring injury.

"Greg is fine, barring a mishap this week he will play," Titans conditioning coach Chris McLellan said.



I'd love to see Shannon Walker given a free run against a weak Cowboys side.

karnage
09-08-10, 08:40 AM
This game is just going to be a straight out test of the team's professionalism. It would be a lot easier to get up for games at Kogarah or Aukland or against heavyweights like Parramatta because you know nothing less than a strong 80-minute team performance will do.

A Thurston-less Cowboys side is a different story.

We should beat them, and to be honest we should beat them comfortably. Nothing less than a win will do.

If our players get their heads right we will treat the Cowboys the way the Warriors treated the Sharks on Saturday night. The Warriors weren't spectacular and they didn't do anything really noteworthy, but they got the job done in a super professional manner by 30 points. It was a comfortable win.

That sort of win is whay we need. Professional, comfortable and by a clear margin in order to build upon the momentum we have begun to gather in the past 3 weeks.

gotitans101
09-08-10, 01:12 PM
Pleeeeeeeeeeeease don't put Bird back at five-eighth....

TITAN PETE
09-08-10, 02:45 PM
I'd love to see Shannon Walker given a free run against a weak Cowboys side.

Spot on ..this is the game to chance our hand against a weakend Cowgirls team :fight:

Boofhead
09-08-10, 02:46 PM
Pleeeeeeeeeeeease don't put Bird back at five-eighth....

It will happen, and it should happen.

Give Rogers a rest if he is not 100%.

Coaster
09-08-10, 03:13 PM
It will happen, and it should happen.

Give Rogers a rest if he is not 100%.
I dunno mate, I'd be hesitant to change those halves after the last few weeks, they are starting to gel

Tamwelg
09-08-10, 03:40 PM
Thurston confirmed gone for 6-8 weeks and Tamou hit with a 2 week charge.

titansrawesome
09-08-10, 04:30 PM
It will happen, and it should happen.

Give Rogers a rest if he is not 100%.

wrong rogers is much better as 5/8, bird to lock laffarachi for bench, we are 3/3 with rogers at 6 why change that?

dean
09-08-10, 04:51 PM
wrong rogers is much better as 5/8, bird to lock laffarachi for bench, we are 3/3 with rogers at 6 why change that?

Agree 100%. Bird to lock maybe Harrison to bench, doesn't really matter as long as Rogers stays at 5/8. I thought he had a cracker of a game against Parra and was just behind Princey for MOM. Leave Rogers at 5/8 and we will be 4 from the last 4.

Ryan
09-08-10, 05:10 PM
Carty certainly does have a selection headache, but why should any of our second row go to the bench in favour of Bird - who is coming of an injury?

Attack: Rogers #6, Bird #4 (we play second rowers there anyway)
Defence: Rogers #4, Bird #6 (Bird gets plenty to do in defense)
The rest of the team as is, Toops misses out, Walker #17.

titansrawesome
09-08-10, 05:31 PM
laffaranchi i think is in a pretty bad form dip, i dont know if its just me but he doesnt look like the player he was in the opening rounds and before.

Mushi
09-08-10, 09:35 PM
Will be interesting to see where Carty names everyone tomorrow. Channel 9 news were saying he had a selection headache with Bird coming back into the side. I still think he will name bird at 5/8 and Rogers at centre and maybe go back to moving the two like earlier in the year??? but who knows, he likes to stick with winning formulas too so Matty at 5/8 has been awesome so why change what is working?? I like Matty in the number 6 but who to drop to the bench in place of Bird - don't know!!! Its a great thing to have - too many good players to form the ideal team - especially at this time of year.

Anyhow, a quick questions, all stars game tickets go on sale on Wed - is the game being played at skilled again??? Want to get our tickets sorted but want to make sure of venue first! Thanks heaps in advance :-)

Supergoose
09-08-10, 10:37 PM
I've suggested previously that bird play at centre and got laughed at. Our centres haven't done anything wrong really and maybe it will backfire but bird would be a real handful and could really give Gordon some space to get moving in. The other option is to play him in the backrow and reduce the minutes of laffranchi, Harrison and minichiello. Quality over quantity but I would think we want 300 minutes out of those 4 blokes. Maybe boof plays a bit of prop but white, Henderson, Meyers and Bailey have a good rotation going.

Anyway it makes room for walker on the bench and I think we need to give him as much game time as possible. He is our wildcard and might just be the final piece which takes us all the way.

I don't expect that we'll lose again this season and I think we're primed for a gf birth unless something freaky happens.

teke
09-08-10, 11:49 PM
Yeah Supergoose I would go with Quality over Quantity leading into the semis. Bird, Laffranchi, Mini and Harro would have the Titans blasting on all cylinders for 80 mins.

Im not a fan of any backrower being out in the centres to be honest. Bodene, Graham, Bird etc do play solid out there they dont have the natural ability to skip to the outside of their opposition which is that x factor for that position.

Ryan
10-08-10, 04:25 AM
Bird just happy to be back

* By Greg Davis
* From: The Daily Telegraph
* August 10, 2010 12:00AM


FORMER Test and Origin five-eighth Greg Bird will surrender Gold Coast's No. 6 jersey so he does not derail the club's tilt at the 2010 finals.

Bird is almost certain to return from a hamstring injury for Saturday's derby clash with North Queensland at Skilled Park.

He suffered the injury in Gold Coast's 24-10 loss to Brisbane in round 19 and the Titans have scored three gritty wins over the Dragons (11-10), Warriors (28-20) and Eels (34-12) in his absence, with dual international Mat Rogers outstanding at five-eighth.

Rogers has scored three tries and kicked the match-winning field goal against the Dragons.

Bird is happy to shift to lock and would even settle for the bench given Gold Coast's rich vein of form that has rocketed John Cartwright's side back into premiership calculations.

Bird's best position is lock and putting him at the back of the scrum would require Ashley Harrison to move up to the second-row with Anthony Laffranchi going to prop.

"I don't really know where I'll be. I'll probably be in the back-row I'd say," Bird said yesterday.

"When the team is going good you are just happy to be in the 17.

"Earlier on in the year I was enjoying playing five-eighth but when the team has been winning you don't want to come in and make too many disruptions. Matty Rogers has been killing it at five-eighth.

"You may as well let the team go the way they're going and try to slip in somewhere that won't change the actual style that they have created in the last couple of weeks.

"The team is going great at the moment and hopefully we can keep that momentum going into the semis and really give it a shot."

Watching the Titans burst back to form was not frustrating for Bird.

"It's much easier sitting on the sideline watching them win than watching them lose," he said.

"It's hard when you can't contribute and the team is struggling but the boys have been going great."

Bird was a chance of taking on Parramatta last Friday night but Titans medical staff decided to play the percentages.

Following the clash with the Cowboys, the Titans finish the regular season with matches against the Roosters (home), Sharks (away) and Tigers (home).

karnage
10-08-10, 06:53 AM
I'd name Bird on the bench and would have no problem with young Ridge being omitted - his time will come in the very near future. If you wanted to stick with Ridge or the other youngster, can't recall his name right now, I'd have no problem with Hendo being left out either as he is not offering us that much at the moment.

shamus
10-08-10, 06:54 AM
Anyhow, a quick questions, all stars game tickets go on sale on Wed - is the game being played at skilled again??? Want to get our tickets sorted but want to make sure of venue first! Thanks heaps in advance :-)

Wow!....This has come around quick. I haven't seen any promotions at all for this game. I assume it is at skilled as I thought there was a 3 year deal in place. Do Titans members still get first choice with their seasons seats?

Mushi
10-08-10, 07:25 AM
Members get a window of opp on Wednesday to purchase all stars tickets. I too thought there was a deal in place but just want to make sure first :-)

Surfers6
10-08-10, 08:41 AM
Team named today,
spoilt for choice arnt we.
We have been going great and an excellent turnaround from 3 weeks ago
My guess is bird from the bench but im still a little unsure of the right centre position, Toopi is going good but are we just buying time to put either Esi or Tomane in there?
My line up is-

1 P.Campbell
2 K.Gordon
3 S.Michaels
4 ?
5 W.Zillman
6 M.Rogers
7 S.Prince
8 L.Bailey
9 N.Friend
10 M.White
11 A.Laffranchi
12 M.Mini
13 A.Harrison

14 G.Bird
15 M.Henderson
16 B.Thompson
17 S.Walker

TITAN PETE
10-08-10, 10:07 AM
Wow!....This has come around quick. I haven't seen any promotions at all for this game. I assume it is at skilled as I thought there was a 3 year deal in place. Do Titans members still get first choice with their seasons seats?

We couldn't buy our seats last year :nope: , it's at Skilled & i'll start a new thread.

TITAN PETE
10-08-10, 10:15 AM
I don't think that there's anyway u could start Bird on the bench..he's an 80minute player & i'd start with all 4 backrowers no matter what number they are wearing as Boof can pack in the scrum if needed

DIEHARD
10-08-10, 10:38 AM
I think Mini might be the odd one out. Can't drop Boof, Harro or Bird to the bench surely. Not saying that Mini is a bench player, but the sure quality of the players and limited number of position means someone has to miss out.

TITAN PETE
10-08-10, 10:47 AM
I think Mini might be the odd one out. Can't drop Boof, Harro or Bird to the bench surely. Not saying that Mini is a bench player, but the sure quality of the players and limited number of position means someone has to miss out.

I think Mini has clearly been the most impressive forward we have for the past 5 or 6 weeks & he consistently bends the oppositions line :banghead:

Surfers6
10-08-10, 10:57 AM
I think Mini has clearly been the most impressive forward we have for the past 5 or 6 weeks & he consistently bends the oppositions line :banghead:

I think Mini has def stepped up over the last month.
next to no errors or penalties.
I was one of the 1st to say Mini should start from the bench but i now think his great form should be rewarded. Mini in 12 and Bird from the bench. (This Week)

TitansFan
10-08-10, 11:00 AM
I'd really like to see this when the team is named :

6. Rogers
7. Prince
8. Bailey
9. Friend
10. Laffranchi
11. Harrison
12. Minichiello
13. Bird

Tamwelg
10-08-10, 12:36 PM
Cowboys Team

1Matthew Bowen
2Ashley Graham
3Ty Williams
4Willie Tonga
5Will Tupou
6Arana Taumata
7Grant Rovelli
8Matt Scott
9Aaron Payne
10Willie Mason
11Scott Bolton
12Leeson Ah Mau
13Luke O?Donnell

INTERCHANGE

14Anthony Watts
15Dane Hogan
16Carl Webb
17Ben Harris
18Isaak Ah Mau

shamus
10-08-10, 01:58 PM
We couldn't buy our seats last year :nope: , it's at Skilled & i'll start a new thread.

......I did??

amaline
10-08-10, 01:59 PM
1 Preston Campbell
2 Kevin Gordon
3 Steve Michaels
4 Clinton Toopi
5 William Zillman
6 Mat Rogers
7 Scott Prince
8 Luke Bailey
9 Nathan Friend
10 Matthew White
11 Anthony Laffranchi
12 Mark Minichiello
13 Ashley Harrison
Interchange
14 Michael Henderson
15 Brad Meyers
16 Greg Bird
17 Bodene Thompson
18 Ben Ridge

http://www.titans.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=28930&title=bird-back-for-cowboys-derby

TITAN PETE
10-08-10, 02:18 PM
Would've love to have seen Walker in the 17 but not to be, i think the numbers that will be worn will mean nothing & i expect Bird to start the game with probably White on the bench..

karnage
10-08-10, 02:18 PM
I like it.

titansrawesome
10-08-10, 03:16 PM
i think meyers has the worst form on the bench(all our players are in form so hes not in bad form) id prefer ridge over meyers

TITAN PETE
10-08-10, 03:30 PM
i think meyers has the worst form on the bench(all our players are in form so hes not in bad form) id prefer ridge over meyers

U may be right but thats only because the rest of the bench has been outstanding , u can't leave Myers out he has something Ridge doesn't & thats size ..

Surfers6
10-08-10, 03:55 PM
i think meyers has the worst form on the bench(all our players are in form so hes not in bad form) id prefer ridge over meyers

Yeah Myers has been great, but he was the player I left out of my line up this week with the inclusion of Walker.
It is hard to leave anyone out when the team has performed as they have.

Tamwelg
10-08-10, 04:15 PM
Would've love to have seen Walker in the 17 but not to be, i think the numbers that will be worn will mean nothing & i expect Bird to start the game with probably White on the bench..

I just can't bring myself to jump on the Walker bandwagon. Yes he has got to be the best player I've ever seen in broken play, but he drifts in and out of games and his defense..... I've watch all the QRL highlight this year and I don't think he's made 1 try saving tackle from a break away yet. He barely even slows them up.

Titan2007
10-08-10, 04:19 PM
The team that has been named is as it should be. You have to be kidding to even think of replacing Meyers or Mini. These blokes have busted their butts for this team and you want to replace them with juniors? At this time of the season? Where is the logic? Rodgers belongs in the number 6 and Bird off the bench as an impact player. Harrison is an 80 minute player and deserves to stay at lock. Why should he be bounced with his work ethics. No sorry, the team that has been named should be the team (barring injury) that takes us into the finals. Carty is on a winner here!

titansrawesome
10-08-10, 04:32 PM
U may be right but thats only because the rest of the bench has been outstanding , u can't leave Myers out he has something Ridge doesn't & thats size ..

fair enough, i just hate to drop ridge he has been great too, also taga will be back very soon so what happens then?

Coaster
10-08-10, 04:52 PM
No way would I drop Big Red, watch how many times he dominates tackles and you will see his worth.

He is my first reserve picked

teke
10-08-10, 11:20 PM
fair enough, i just hate to drop ridge he has been great too, also taga will be back very soon so what happens then?
Taga wont make it back in unless there are a few injuries. Ridge has tasted 1st grade and has many many years ahead of him. There is no place for him in this Team the Titans have atm.

Coaster
11-08-10, 06:49 AM
Flying home for this one.

See you all there Saturday

:banana: :banana:

Tamwelg
11-08-10, 07:57 AM
1 Preston Campbell
2 Kevin Gordon
3 Steve Michaels
4 Clinton Toopi
5 William Zillman
6 Mat Rogers
7 Scott Prince
8 Luke Bailey
9 Nathan Friend
10 Matthew White
11 Anthony Laffranchi
12 Mark Minichiello
13 Ashley Harrison
Interchange
14 Michael Henderson
15 Brad Meyers
16 Greg Bird
17 Bodene Thompson
18 Ben Ridge

http://www.titans.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=28930&title=bird-back-for-cowboys-derby

Even though Bird is named on the bench, I think he will start. Maybe PETE's idea of Laffranchi to prop for the start off the game.

GoldCoastTitans100
11-08-10, 06:21 PM
I would go with

1 Preston Campbell
2 Kevin Gordon
3 Steve Michaels
4 Clinton Toopi
5 William Zillman
6 Mat Rogers
7 Scott Prince
8 Luke Bailey
9 Nathan Friend
10 Matthew White
11 Greg Bird
12 Mark Minichiello
13 Ashley Harrison

Interchange
14 Michael Henderson
15 Brad Meyers
16 Anthony Laffranchi
17 Bodene Thompson

You just can't put walker on the bench he had a chance and because he did not perform he will need to wait for a injury. I hate but chances are unless a back-line injury strikes we will not see him again this season.

TITAN PETE
11-08-10, 07:11 PM
I have a bit of mail that Bird won't play as his hamstring is still a problem & Atkins & Cannings are on standby for Presto & Hendo who have not been able to train but they are hopeful of being able to train on Friday with the team

Mushi
11-08-10, 07:26 PM
Why Atkins??? I am not a big fan of his :-( Hopefully the boys are fit and ready to go. If Bird isn't fit, I'd rather rest him until the next game......
Interesting to see how tomorrows training session goes!

Tamwelg
11-08-10, 07:43 PM
Why Atkins???

Atkins to wing Zillman to fullback, not many other choices, but lets face it, Campbell has failed to train lots of times this year, then been fined come game day.

Titanic
11-08-10, 09:27 PM
This is a must win, with no risking further injuries, game for us. If any player is not right then this is their last opportunity to rest.

Supergoose
11-08-10, 10:08 PM
I have to wonder how far off esi is from nrl level again. I rate him a better option than Atkins although I'm sure Atkins won't let us down and he is good in the air and then there is taga too with michaels shifting to wing. Not sure if esi and taga prefer the right side though.

DIEHARD
12-08-10, 10:56 AM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/diehard2/NRL/titansvscowboys.jpg

BE THERE!

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS (http://www.ticketek.com.au)

DIEHARD
12-08-10, 01:49 PM
Bird in doubt for Cowboys clash

BLUES enforcer Greg Bird is in doubt to return from a hamstring strain in the Gold Coast Titans clash against the Cowboys at Skilled Park on Saturday.

The tough five-eighth/lock was this week named on the bench to make his comeback after being sidelined since the Titans' clash with the Broncos in Round 19.

But it is understood the NSW State of Origin representative has hit a hurdle after experiencing a bit of soreness this week.

Bird will have a fitness test at the Titans final training run at Skilled Park today, which will determine whether or not he plays.

If Bird is ruled out, 18th man Ben Ridge will most likely move on to the bench.

Source: http://www.goldcoast.com.au

DIEHARD
12-08-10, 02:24 PM
Titans v Cowboys

NRL.com Preview

Skilled Park - Saturday, 5.30pm


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/diehard2/NRL/titansvscowboys.jpg

Let?s be honest here ? this match should be a Titans runaway win ? but if the Gold Coast boys come into the match with this sort of complacency they could get roped and branded by the Cowboys. And the ramifications could be huge.

Yes the Cowboys have won just five games all year (one against the Titans) and have had an NRL-high 542 points scored against them (27.1 a game). Yes, they are without their captain and playmaker Johnathan Thurston for the remainder of the year. And yes, their minds are on the end-of-season trip ? but if they are to jag another win this year, you know they?d love it to be against their Queensland brothers.

The Titans simply cannot afford complacency. They might need just one more win to basically cement a finals berth but the logjam for positions in the finals is suffocating.

They are currently fourth on the ladder following a good win over Parramatta but while a win could see them as high as second, a loss could see them freefall all the way to eighth if other results go against them.

If they are entertaining thoughts of a top-four finish and home final they must win this match as they also have games against the Roosters and Wests Tigers to come and can?t afford to give either a ?free jump? before these contests.

Coach John Cartwright has retained the side from the win over the Eels, although Origin player Greg Bird returns to a five-man bench and if passed fit is a certainty to play.

The Cowboys have named Grant Rovelli to cover for Thurston, while James Tamou is also out of the side that lost to Brisbane after he was suspended for his role in a brawl. Ben Harris and Isaak Ah Mau have been added to a five-man bench at this stage.

Watch out Titans: The Cowboys don?t really pose many threats, especially without Thurston to feed the likes of Bowen, Bolton and Tonga.
But with a few weeks under his belt perhaps this is a match former ?bad boy? Arana Taumata to really showcase his skills.

It is no secret plenty of good judges believe the kid has talent; he just had issues settling down away from football. With a chance to have more of a say on the direction of the team this week, perhaps we?ll see some of this potential.

Look for Taumata to test the line often, as he loves getting a little physical.

Watch out Cowboys: Greg Bird is due to return from the bench, most likely in the forwards, after the side have found some cohesion and a way to win.

After Mat Rogers? success at five-eighth and Bird?s performance as a back-rower for the Blues in Game Three, you get the feeling his impact in the pack could be significant. It will mean Ashley Harrison playing some time at second row and Anthony Laffranchi spending some time at prop, but this shouldn?t upset the applecart; rather it should strengthen the line-up.

Scott Prince can still dominate proceedings and Rogers and Preston Campbell can play their cameo roles. If the Cowboys are looking for a down period when subs come on, they won?t get it now.

Where it will be won: Attitude towards the simple things. When coming into a game like this teams can sometimes get into a touch football-style shoot-out instead of remembering to get tough and set up good chances through disciplined football.

For the Titans to get the job done (like most expect), they need to come out with a clear focus on the ?one percenters? as they are called. They need to create a good kicking game, provide an enthusiastic chase every time and, quite simply, they need to tackle and run hard.

You often hear a losing coach say: ?They just ran and tackled harder than us.? It?s not a cop-out line, it is simple reality. When a team is not at their peak, players tend to just go through the motions sometimes and run with less intensity. This has a ripple effect, as you start to get dominated in tackles, the play-the-balls are slower and your field position is poor. If you don?t tackle as hard, you are often found defending your line.

The Titans need to prepare as if they are playing a top-eight team, and play a game plan accordingly.

The Cowboys also need a better attitude if they are to compete. It is one thing to just throw the ball around in hope, but you need some hard yards done beforehand, otherwise this could get ugly.

The history: Played 6; Titans 3, Cowboys 3. The Cowboys scored one of their rare wins this season against the Titans, making it two in a row against the Gold Coast.

North Queensland also won the last match between the clubs here at Skilled Park, making it 1-1 at the venue.

But the Cowboys? record without Johnathan Thurston is dismal against everybody.

Conclusion: Give me a ?T?, give me an ?I?, give me a ?T?, give me an ?A?, give me an ?N?, give me an ?S?.

Match officials: Referees ? Jason Robinson & Ashley Klein; Sideline Officials ? Paul Holland & Gavin Reynolds; Video Ref ? Tim Mander.

Televised: Fox Sports ? Live 5.30pm.

Source: http://www.nrl.com

patskE
12-08-10, 04:43 PM
wouldnt walker be the choice? seeing he has been 18th man 2 weeks in a row?

titanstattman
13-08-10, 10:58 AM
TITANS Greg Bird and Michael Henderson have been ruled out of tomorrow night's NRL game against the Cowboys at Skilled Park.

Bird underwent a fitness test at the Gold Coast's final training session this morning where it was ruled he was still at least another week away from making his comeback from a hamstring injury.

Prop Henderson did not train at all as he battles to overcome a virus.

But in a huge boost for the Titans livewire fullback Preston Campbell trained strongly and will take his place in the number 1 jumper.

New Zealand-born big man Aaron Cannings comes on to the bench for Henderson to play just his second NRL game for the season following a shoulder reconstruction while Ben Ridge comes into the side for Bird.

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2010/08/13/246995_gold-coast-titans.html

Surfers6
13-08-10, 01:24 PM
With Hendo and Bird out Im thinking there maybe one more change.
The bench looks to big and with Presto not 100% i think Walker may get added.

DIEHARD
13-08-10, 01:35 PM
Wow Cannings back! I'm excited to see how he will go. Lift some gears.

Not long till game day.

Also rumour Laffranchi may not play. Hope this isn't true.

titansrawesome
13-08-10, 03:23 PM
CANNINGS YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Greg81
13-08-10, 05:02 PM
Cant wait...been looking forward to seeing these two teams face off for ages, but never been able to get to a match. Lets reverse our trend of losing to the other QLD teams this year (yes, 3 of our losses were 2 to the Broncos and 1 to Cowboys).

Titanic
13-08-10, 09:40 PM
The plays I'd hate to see: (1) Mason carrying four over from 5 meters out and (2) Webb palming off Rogers:

The plays I can't wait to see: (1) Gordon turning Bowen inside out and (2) Friend ducking under an O'Donnell air-swing to go in beside the posts.

karnage
13-08-10, 10:46 PM
The Sharks just beat the Roosters.

That result should prove to our players beyond any doubt that simply turning up will not equal a win.

We have to show the same intensity we have showed for the last month and get the job done.

I am so nervous about this game it is ridiculous and it is going to be hard to enjoy it - especially if it gets close. I don't care if it is ugly to watch - I just want to get 2 points.

teke
14-08-10, 11:56 AM
The Sharks just beat the Roosters.

That result should prove to our players beyond any doubt that simply turning up will not equal a win.

We have to show the same intensity we have showed for the last month and get the job done.

I am so nervous about this game it is ridiculous and it is going to be hard to enjoy it - especially if it gets close. I don't care if it is ugly to watch - I just want to get 2 points.Mate I can ease your nerves.

Titans will bend the Cowboys early and they will break by half time allowing Prince and his merry men to ease to the final whistle comfortably ahead by 18

DIEHARD
14-08-10, 12:40 PM
I'm waiting at Yeronga station in Briabane with Goatus. See you at the game! Go Titans!

titansrawesome
14-08-10, 06:22 PM
really bad 10-15 minute period there for the titans like preston said but the rest of the game was pretty good for us. it really should have been titans 43-0 in a perfect game

Supergoose
14-08-10, 06:37 PM
Not sure what Gordon was doing not contesting those kicks that led to tries but a pretty good win. I would've loved for us to finally break the 40 point seal, but three or four botched opportunities means we'll have to wait another week to get to forty. The sin bins were a joke and probably cost us around +20 in the for and against column.

titansrawesome
14-08-10, 07:00 PM
i dont think well get 40 against the roosters, maybe the sharks or the tigers since they both have leaky defenses

Titanic
14-08-10, 08:08 PM
Excellent win ... Gordon, in particular, and Zillman seemed to clock-off and that is a really worrying sign. Friend putting one on LoD was a classic though.

karnage
14-08-10, 08:11 PM
That win was good enough. 14000 was a very disappointing crowd for a visit from a fellow QLD team and there didn't seem to be the usual buzz around the place which probably translated to a pretty slow opening.

Even at 19-18 though I wasn't worried and that is testament to the stability and toughness of our team. The Cowboys are not an 80 minute team and all we had to do was wait until they went off the boil and put them away.

Mission accomplished.

Mushi
14-08-10, 10:09 PM
Nice to see the boys notch up their 4th win in a row. Was a bit messy in some parts which allowed the cowgirls to catch up a bit but once we knuckled back down we were all over them. Great to see Michaels having some good games and playing well. Crowd numbers were VERY disappointing - maybe because the cowboys aren't doing so well many supporters didn't turn up???? Who knows. Legion of course was loud and proud and so glad to be part of it!!!!! Big game next week against the roosters - where hopefully Bird will be fit and ready to fly again and make an impact - off the bench?? if he's named there. THink its fitting we will have our BIRD back against the roosters.
Great to see Friend get a try tonight - he always works so hard so great to see him get rewarded with a four pointer - oh and a bit of biff never goes astray. We had some whistle happy refs tonight but all in all - another great win by our boys!!!

I too was hoping to break that 40 barrier that eludes us but I'm sure it will come.........

titansrawesome
15-08-10, 08:21 AM
where does taga come back in for us.....

titanstattman
15-08-10, 09:15 AM
Why am I reading we broke the 40 mark wen it 37-18??
Not on here in papers nd ect.

titansrawesome
15-08-10, 09:23 AM
Why am I reading we broke the 40 mark wen it 37-18??
Not on here in papers nd ect.

what paper?

DIEHARD
15-08-10, 03:36 PM
Broncos reject Michaels stars as Titans close in on home final

Gold Coast 37 North Queensland 18

GOLD COAST coach John Cartwright has hailed mid-season recruit Steve Michaels as the NRL buy of the year after the former Bronco starred last night.

Unwanted by Brisbane this season, Michaels scored two tries and set up two others to help ensure a topsy-turvy victory against North Queensland at Skilled Park. The Titans' fourth straight win puts them in second spot on the NRL ladder and shores up a likely home final in the play-offs.

On the flipside of the Queensland derby, the 14th-placed Cowboys fell to a third loss in a row and appear to have Luke O'Donnell sidelined for the rest of the season. North Queensland coach Neil Henry feared O'Donnell had played his last game in the NRL after limping off with a strained knee ligament in the second half.

Sent packing by the Broncos after he lost the confidence of coach Ivan Henjak, Michaels stamped himself as a back-line rock for the Titans in only his fifth game.

The Gold Coast-born centre impressed alongside Preston Campbell and Mark Minichiello in an entertaining clash which hung in the balance midway through the second half.

Michaels's first try and a Scott Prince field goal had the Titans buzzing at half-time with a 19-0 lead.

But the Cowboys came out a completely different side after the break to storm back to within a point with three converted tries in 16 minutes.

It was the 23-year-old three-quarter and livewire fullback Campbell who steadied the Gold Coast ship by laying on back-to-back tries for prop Luke Bailey and second-rower Minichiello to kill off the gallant visitors.

''[Michaels] is the buy of the year for anyone I think,'' Cartwright said.

''He's got it all for me, he's tough, he's a competitor and he does all the little things well. He's been a great get for us.''

While Michaels was the feel-good story of the Queensland derby, O'Donnell cut a dejected figure at the end of the game. The fiery NSW lock has signed with English club Huddersfield and Henry was less than optimistic about his likely prognosis. ''If it's a grade two [medial ligament strain] that would unfortunately be his last game for the club,'' the coach said.

GOLD COAST 37 (S Michaels 2 L Bailey N Friend M Minichiello S Prince tries S Prince 6 goals S Prince field goal) bt NORTH QUEENSLAND 18 (T Williams 2 A Watts tries J Williams 3 goals) at Skilled Park. Referee: Ashley Klein, Jason Robinson. Crowd: 14,032.

http://www.smh.com.au

DIEHARD
15-08-10, 03:37 PM
Titans make it four straight with win over Cowboys

The Jetstar Gold Coast Titans have made it four wins on the trot and sealed a finals berth with a tough and determined 37-18 victory against the North Queensland Cowboys at Skilled Park this evening.

In front of a crowd of 14,032, the Titans played a grinding semi-final type style of football lifting the intensity to come away with a strong victory off the back of quality performances from Preston Campbell, Luke Bailey and Steve Michaels who had his best game since joining the club this season.

The win moves the Titans into second spot on the NRL ladder on 30 competition points, however, that may change depending on results over the weekend.

Jetstar Titans Coach John Cartwright was happy with the patience and persistence his team showed tonight as they methodically scored six tries to the Cowboys three after establishing a 19-nil halftime lead.

“We created a lot of chances but they starved us of possession and really tested us for periods there this evening, it was a really professional effort by our guys,’’ said Cartwright.

“As a coach you are always searching for perfection and attitude wise we were there tonight, it was a danger game for us considering the results of the weekend so far where the under dogs have got up.

“We have set up a really good platform with three games to go and the attitude and commitment is just getting better week by week and if you keep working on the little things the results will come.”

The Titans led comfortably at halftime but the Cowboys got off to the perfect second half start as winger Ash Graham took the last tackle kick and then handed off to centre Ty Williams who scored in the corner.

John Williams nailed the conversion from the side line narrowing the gap to 19-6, 43 minutes in.

The game turned spiteful in the 46th minute as Nathan Friend and Luke O’Donnell were both sent to the sin-bin for throwing punches at the play the ball.

The Cowboys responded as Arana Taumata put in a perfectly timed grubber for Williams to claim his second try of the night.

John Williams again nailed the sideline conversion as the Cowboys were well and truly back in the contest at 19-12, in the 52nd minutes.

The Cowboys then received a piggy back penalty out of their own half as hooker Anthony Watts took full advantage as he dummied and scored from dummy half to score the softest of tries.

John Williams made it a perfect three from three as The Titans held on to a narrow 19-18 lead, with 22 minutes of play remaining.

Titans captain Scott Prince was impressed with some individual players who stepped up during the game with centre Steve Michaels getting a special mention.

“I was really excited once I found out he was coming to the club, he’s tough and has brought plenty of ability,'' said Prince.

“Our games now are all about momentum and when you gain it then its hard for the opposition to stop the flow.

“Once we had some possession we laid on some points and then all we had to do was grind away and take our opportunities as they presented themselves.”

The Titans muscled up as prop Luke Bailey ran a beautiful line at speed barging his way over for a rare try as Prince extended the lead to 25-18, 66 minutes in.

The Titans kept their foot on the accelerator with flyer Kevin Gordon combining with Michaels who threw a screamer of a pass to second rower Mark Minichiello for the home side's fifth try of the night.

Prince converted as the Titans got out to a good lead at 31-18 after 68 minutes.

The Titans stretched the tiring Cowboys defence as a simple three on two overlap saw Michaels in for his second try of the night as Prince nailed the conversion in the final seconds to complete the win.

Earlier, both teams struggled to find their rhythm until Prince dummied and sliced through untouched from first receiver.

He converted his own try giving the Titans a 6-0 lead, 23 minutes in.

Both teams failed to execute effective attacking options until Friend darted away from dummy half getting past some lazy defenders to score his first try of the season.

Prince converted extending the Titans lead to 12-0, in the 33rd minute.

The Titans capitalised off the back of a nasty Dane Hogan lifting tackle on Gordon in the 36th minute, with a perfectly timed grubber from Prince putting Michaels in for an 18-nil lead.

The Titans were almost in again as pint sized dynamo Preston Campbell broke away from the pack racing away to link up with a rampaging Anthony Laffranchi who was deemed to have been held up.

Prince then slotted a sneaky field goal to give his side a healthy 19-0 lead at half-time.

Gold Coast Titans 37 (S Prince, N Friend, S Michaels 2, L Bailey, M Minichiello tries Prince 6 goals and field goal) defeated the North Queensland Cowboys 18 (T Williams 2, A Watts tries; John Williams 3 goals).

Source: http://www.titans.com.au

DIEHARD
15-08-10, 03:39 PM
LOL at the headline on Cowboys.com.au for their review of the game.

Titled "TITANS EDGE COWBOYS"

I dont think a 37-18 scoreline is edging anyone!

Coaster
15-08-10, 03:59 PM
Knife edge maybe.

Glad i got to witness that Thug O'Donnell's last minutes of RL in Australia.

:wave: :wave: :wave:

DIEHARD
15-08-10, 04:28 PM
Click out the match stats on NRL STATS

http://live.nrlstats.com/matches/nrl/match3801.html

TITAN PETE
16-08-10, 07:27 AM
That was another very good win & with Bubba Cannings coming back & looking Fit i think we'll only improve & next week with all of our front rowers available i think for the 1st time ever to give this comp an almighty shake :fist:

Great games by Presto,Bails & White :thumbsup:

Friendy was an angry man after the match, for missing that dog with his Haymaker :laugh:

DIEHARD
16-08-10, 11:13 AM
Titans vs Cowboys post match press conference is available here...

http://www.titans.com.au/default.aspx?s=titans-tv