Round 19: Canberra Raiders vs Gold Coast Titans

[DIEHARD]

Canberra Raiders vs Gold Coast Titans

[DIEHARD]

Typically Canberra are in hot form in the dead of winter.

[DIEHARD]

More injury woes for Titans in the NRL

Stricken Gold Coast's injury problems have lurched to crisis point with centre Beau Champion to undergo surgery on his damaged ankle which flared up again in the club's 32-14 NRL loss to New Zealand on Saturday night.

Champion is the latest casualty in a wretched run of luck for the Titans, with Greg Bird (pectoral muscle) and Nate Myles (sternum) picking up injuries in State of Origin III and Ashley Harrison (foot) and Luke Bailey (ribs) still sidelined.

Coach John Cartwright has conceded that he may not get any of them back for the match against Canberra in round 19.

"I'm not really hopeful that they will be there next week," he said.

"But we won't probably know until late in the week."

Champion has been carrying the injury most of the season and was cut down against Penrith in round 15.

Specialists had given him the all clear to play against the Warriors but now surgery is a certainty and there is some chance Champion will not be sighted again in 2012 if the 12th placed Titans miss out on the finals.

"Hopefully it's only three or four weeks but when I spoke to the surgeon (he said) it's probably more like four to six," a dejected Champion said.

"It's disappointing, it's been a bit of an injury ravaged season.

"I've had an operation on that ankle before, there seems to be something in there that's not letting it function fully.

"I just ran across field at the start of the second half and something just went again, exactly the same injury.

"I'll just get it fixed up and we'll go from there."

Luke O'Dwyer was also taken off the field in the second half with a head cut but is expected to be fit to play the Raiders next Sunday at Canberra Stadium.

http://www.nrl.com

[Smakked]

No confidence at all going into this i expect raiders to win pretty easy actually, and its going to be about minus 5 down there.

[hatchy84]

Won't be that bad its Sunday arvo

[teke]

With a squad that could possibly be weaker than Saturday nights one I might watch this game with sedated :(

[patskE]

i think its time to move zillman to centre, or even gordon tbh

[Jamal's Hamstring]

Raiders by a million.

Having said that, I will be there cheering them on.

I am a masochist.

[shamus]

Nah....Raiders can't win 3 in a row! Titans 3rd string side by 4.:p

[Rage]

I'm gonna go once again with the fact that some of our best wins have been with some of our weakest sides. Still, I'm very interested in what side Carty is gonna name tomorrow.

[thelwall]

im really worried

[thelwall]

William Zillman, Kevin Gordon, Jamal Idris, Dominique Peyroux, Steve Michaels, Aidan Sezer, Scott Prince, Luke Bailey, Matt Srama, Luke Douglas, Ben Ridge, Mark Minichiello, Nate Myles. Interchange (from): Matthew White, Michael Henderson, Luke O’Dwyer, Beau Falloon, Ryan James

[thelwall]

where the f........k is mead ?

[amaline]

The article says PNG for the funeral.

[teke]

Yeah Funeral proceedings from Wed onwards.

[thelwall]

oh :( i thought he was injured i was a bit worried ...... i really have alot of respect for him for playing on the weekend

[TITAN PETE]

Falloon to debut as stars return in Canberra
Adam Gardini
Tuesday 10 July 2012 1:00 PM

The Jetstar Gold Coast Titans have today named hooker Beau Falloon to make his anticipated Titans debut and star fowards Luke Bailey and Nate Myles to return from injury for Sunday’s clash against the Raiders in Canberra.
Jetstar Titans Coach John Cartwright today named former Souths hooker Beau Falloon on a five-man interchange bench, while Bailey (ribs) and Myles (sternum) have both been named in the hope they will be fit to return against the Raiders.
Falloon played 25 NRL matches for the Rabbitohs from 2008-11 and has been rewarded for his recent form for Queensland Cup feeder club Burleigh Bears since returning from a torn biceps injury he suffered in the club’s pre-season trial match against the Broncos at Pizzey Park.
Centre Dominique Peyroux has been promoted from the interchange bench to right centre in place of the injured Beau Champion, who will have surgery on his injured ankle this week, while winger Steve Michaels comes in for David Mead, who will miss the match after returning to PNG for his father’s funeral.
Cartwright said Falloon would be used in tandem with hooker Matt Srama in an attempt to ease the workload on the young rake, who has not missed a match this season with 16 consecutive games.
"Matty has been up for a fair while now and Beau's had half a dozen games back and is a strong defender so we'll use those two in tandem down in Canberra,'' said Cartwright.
"Matty has been averaging 50 tackles a week and that's very hard even on an expereinced guy.
"We don't want to blunt his attack and I just feel that's been blunted over the last couple of weeks so we'll look to share that role depending on what happens in the course of the game.
"Beau is very deserving of his chance. He's a real popular member of the side since he came up from Sydney. He had an unfortunate start with the biceps but he's worked very hard and when we announce the side to the players I'm sure everyone in the squad will be happy for him.''
Cartwright said he was hopeful of regaining the services both Bailey and Myles, with a final decision on their fitness and availability to be made later in the week.
"We'll monitor them. We're pretty hopeful at the moment but they've both got similar type of injuries. We'll give them every chance we can,'' said Cartwright.

Titans vs Raiders
2pm, Sunday July 15
Canberra Stadium
1 William Zillman
2 Kevin Gordon
3 Jamal Idris
4 Dominique Peyroux
5 Steve Michaels
6 Aidan Sezer
7 Scott Prince
8 Luke Bailey
9 Matt Srama
10 Luke Douglas
11 Ben Ridge
12 Mark Minichiello
13 Nate Myles
Interchange
14 Matthew White
15 Michael Henderson
16 Luke O’Dwyer
17 Beau Falloon
18 Ryan James
Coach John Cartwright

[Titanic]

I can't whinge too much about the backline although I would have suggested O'Dwyer in the centers and Peyroux outside him but the Peyroux/Michaels will be equally ineffective or is he foxing for:

1. Zillman
2. Gordon
3. Michaels
4. Idris (on the right)
5. Peyroux

However, I don't understand the bench. Is Lawrence injured? If he's not then does that suggest Cartwright will run without James leaving O'Dwyer (I would have though Lawrence against the club that blew him off would have been a certainty) and Falloon as a light-weight bench ... oh well, whatever.

[patskE]

wats the point of falloon? srama hasnt done anything wrong to show he cant play the 80...
n michaels... come on... ffs, blood a young kid already! ffs carty ur killing me, even move gordon to the centres so he gets more ball with a kid next to him. time for change

[thelwall]

fallon deserves a chance and id prefer to see srama have a career that lasts 10 + yrs instead of 6 agree with carty for once.

[Titanic]

No problem with Falloon as he may enter the after-Prince picture ... anybody got any gossip about Beau Henry or outside backs in the lower grades? How is Hymel Hunt coming along?

[Rage]

AAP Tue, Jul 10, 2012 - 6:28 PM

Canberra have named the same side that secured them their first back-to-back NRL victories since round 17 last year for their clash with Gold Coast on Sunday.

After early-season woes which put a strain on David Furner's coaching tenure, the Raiders are in a positive mood after a knockout 40-12 away victory over Melbourne on Saturday.

That followed a hoodoo-extending win over St George Illawarra five days earlier.

Now the aim is for three in a row, a feat the Raiders have not achieved since their six-week victory streak at the tail-end of the 2010 season.

Furner on Tuesday named an unchanged squad for the Canberra Stadium match, arguing that building combinations will be the key to continuing the Raiders' about-turn in results.

Utility back Shaun Berrigan will again be used from the bench after returning last week from a biceps injury, while Sam Mataora has also been cleared of troubles with his back to be named on an extended five-man bench.

"There's no doubt having the same team week in, week out gives us consistency and that showed with the way we've played over the past two weeks," Furner said.

"It's about making sure we are still playing that brand of football that we've had the past two weeks."

In other positive news, injured duo Glen Buttriss and Trevor Thurling return to full training this week and fullback-turned-playmaker Josh Dugan is close to resuming after suffering ankle problems two weeks ago.

But forward Bronson Harrison endured another setback in his recovery, re-injuring his back last week when he started training again.

[Jamal's Hamstring]

I can't whinge too much about the backline although I would have suggested O'Dwyer in the centers and Peyroux outside him but the Peyroux/Michaels will be equally ineffective or is he foxing for:

1. Zillman
2. Gordon
3. Michaels
4. Idris (on the right)
5. Peyroux

However, I don't understand the bench. Is Lawrence injured? If he's not then does that suggest Cartwright will run without James leaving O'Dwyer (I would have though Lawrence against the club that blew him off would have been a certainty) and Falloon as a light-weight bench ... oh well, whatever.

Not sure how I feel about BJ being dropped. Obviously he is better than he showed last week and I hope that it's not a case of him falling out of favour with Cartwright over that performance.

[hatchy84]

Ffs what did Dowling do wrong
You are a joke carty
No wonder we all want you gone
You couldn't coach am under 8s team to a gf
Michaels needs to go
And for Lawrence you may aswell kick him harder
Confidence is a big thing in the game and he can't have too much after last week
Do us all a favour and f*?@ off out of our club
P.S raiders by 40 6 tries for lee straight over top of michaels

[Supergoose]

I really hope James plays ahead of O'Dwyer. Love the Falloon selection as cover for hooker and halves. He can play a bit of backrow too so should get a run no matter what. I really like BJ Lawrence but he did himself no favors last week and has to re-earn his position again which is fair enough. Not sure about the make-up of this backline. Canberra have been shredding out wide. Hope Dom and michaels are up to it.

[DIEHARD]

Titans give guns Nate Myles and Luke Bailey time to prove fitness

NATE Myles and Luke Bailey will be given last-minute fitness tests on Saturday as the Gold Coast Titans look to rescue their season with a difficult away trip to Canberra.

Myles sustained "significant" bruising and damage to his sternum in Queensland's Origin series win last week, while Bailey suffered rib cartilage damage six weeks ago.

Both are touch and go to play on Sunday despite being named in the starting side yesterday.

Coach John Cartwright has promoted hooker Beau Falloon for his Titans debut off the bench. Falloon has been called up to assist first-choice rake Matt Srama who has not missed a game this season.

Centre Dominique Peyroux returns to the starting side for Beau Champion, who had exploratory ankle surgery yesterday. Steve Michaels will play on the wing in place of David Mead, who has returned to Papua New Guinea for his father's funeral.

North Queensland's Origin stars Johnathan Thurston, Brent Tate, Matt Scott and James Tamou will play against Melbourne on Saturday.

Halfback Ray Thompson will face a fitness test later over a shoulder complaint.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/

[DIEHARD]

Titans give guns Nate Myles and Luke Bailey time to prove fitness

NATE Myles and Luke Bailey will be given last-minute fitness tests on Saturday as the Gold Coast Titans look to rescue their season with a difficult away trip to Canberra.

Myles sustained "significant" bruising and damage to his sternum in Queensland's Origin series win last week, while Bailey suffered rib cartilage damage six weeks ago.

Both are touch and go to play on Sunday despite being named in the starting side yesterday.

Coach John Cartwright has promoted hooker Beau Falloon for his Titans debut off the bench. Falloon has been called up to assist first-choice rake Matt Srama who has not missed a game this season.

Centre Dominique Peyroux returns to the starting side for Beau Champion, who had exploratory ankle surgery yesterday. Steve Michaels will play on the wing in place of David Mead, who has returned to Papua New Guinea for his father's funeral.

North Queensland's Origin stars Johnathan Thurston, Brent Tate, Matt Scott and James Tamou will play against Melbourne on Saturday.

Halfback Ray Thompson will face a fitness test later over a shoulder complaint.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/

[DIEHARD]

Raiders out to secure third win in a row

The Canberra Raiders have named the same team which defeated the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park last weekend, for their round 19 clash against the Gold Coast Titans at Canberra Stadium.

The only addition to the squad is Sam Mataora who returns as 18th man following his recovery from a back injury, with a decision on the final make-up to the bench to be made later in the week.

After returning from a bicep injury last weekend Shaun Berrigan will once again be used from the interchange bench, while Mark Nicholls retains his spot after another impressive performance in his second NRL match last weekend.

Raiders Coach David Furner said it’s important for the team to continue to work on their combinations and to have the same 17 again this week is a bonus.

“There’s no doubt having the same team week in week out gives us consistency and that showed with the way we’ve played over the past two weeks,” Furner said. “We’re starting to build some nice combinations and if we can keep up our completions we can go a long way to beating the Titans.”

In some further good news for the Raiders Jarrad Kennedy will be available this weekend to play for Mounties after returning from injury, while Glen Buttriss and Trevor Thurling also return to full squad training this week.

http://sportsaustralia.com

[DIEHARD]

Earl lording it after mid-season switch to 'unbeatable' Raiders

CANBERRA winger Sandor Earl must be the luckiest bloke in the NRL - leaving a basket case of a club mid-season to join one he declared has an unbeatable game plan.

He's been in Canberra for less than two weeks, but the former Penrith Panthers and Sydney Roosters winger has enjoyed a dream arrival since joining the Raiders only days before the June 30 deadline.

Earl made his Raiders debut in the heart-stopping 22-18 win against St George Illawarra and retained his place for last weekend's 40-12 thumping of the Melbourne Storm, crossing for a double in the AAMI Park upset. Now, he's aiming to make it a hat-trick when the resurgent Raiders host an injury-depleted Gold Coast Titans at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.

''If we can stick to our shape and starve teams of the ball, I don't know [how] we can lose to be honest,'' Earl said. ''Nothing against Penrith, but it's different here. The way the boys are putting in … if that's the way we're going to be playing for the rest of the season, I'm happy with that.''

While the Raiders are on the rise, the Panthers are on struggle street, with inspirational second-rower Luke Lewis yesterday granted a release from the final two years of his contract. That follows the demotion of NSW centre Michael Jennings and livewire fullback Lachlan Coote to reserve grade.

Earl's inclusion has coincided with a rapid transformation in the Raiders' fortunes. They had won only five of their first 14 games before he was signed, sparking intense speculation about the future of coach David Furner and leaving the Raiders in wooden spoon discussions.

But with back-to-back victories they are now only two points outside the top eight, but Earl believes talk of a late season surge to the finals is premature. ''We're trying not to get too carried away from two good wins,'' he said. ''In another fortnight or so, if we're at the same point, that's where I think the conversation will start.''

The Raiders have a favourable draw in the run to the finals. Five of their next seven games are at home before they finish off the regular season with a challenging trip to face the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland.

Earl had limited opportunities with the Panthers under new coach Ivan Cleary this year, playing just three games in the top grade. But he's taken little time to strike up a deadly partnership on the right side of the attack alongside in-form centre Blake Ferguson. The Country representative toyed with weary Queensland centre Dane Nielsen and combined beautifully with Earl in both attack and defence.

Earl is contracted to the Raiders only until the end of the season, but there is an option to extend to 2013. ''Being able to form a combination would be a big thing if I was to continue this with Blake,'' Earl said. ''The two games I've been involved with have been awesome. If it all falls into place, I think I might have to stay at the Raiders.''

After missing the win against the Storm with a back injury, forward Sam Mataora is considered a 50-50 chance to be fit in time to face the Titans. Mataora completed running drills yesterday and will be assessed later in the week.

Meanwhile, under-20s fullback Mitch Cronin will miss four to six weeks with ankle syndesmosis suffered in the 34-30 Toyota Cup loss to the Storm.

http://www.coastaltimes.com.au

[Princey's Titanz]

God sakes why is Michaels in the team. Would rather want Graham or Peyroux. Geez Carty.

[Smakked]

Raiders by 20+

[Princey's Titanz]

where will Beau Falloon play if he is on the bench. Will he allow Srama to rest or will he play in the second row?

[Rage]

Well Carty said he'd have him and Srama work in tandem so looks like they'll be sharing hooking duties.

[gotitans101]

Phil Graham played well for us against the Dragons. I don't understand why Carty persists with the likes of Michaels over him, and still no return of Dowling either. May as well just call the team "Carty's favourites".

[DIEHARD]

Gold Coast Titans prop Luke Bailey battles to return to field after a rib injury

LUKE Bailey once defied the pain barrier to play an NRL final 12 days after surgery to insert a metal plate and nine pins into his broken thumb.
But that is no longer Bailey's most excruciating injury after the rib injury sustained six weeks ago.

The Titans hard man found himself lying in a Gold Coast hospital with ribs popping up in his chest after taking his first hit-up in the club's brave win over North Queensland.

The ribs had not broken through the skin but it felt like they had. The tough Titan said it was the only time his wife had seen him struggle with pain, despite his extensive medical history playing NRL on the front line.

"It is the most painful I have had by far," Bailey said.

"My wife was with me in hospital and she has never seen me in pain and she's seen me through a couple of injuries.

...
"I just popped the ribs off the sternum. They were popping up through my chest. I went to hospital in an ambulance and couldn't really move for three weeks.

"Rib injuries are a big part of footy so I'm not going to whinge about it."

Bailey tried to rush back for last Saturday's loss to the Warriors but failed a fitness test when he suffered discomfort during contact drills.

He will not make the same mistake this week. There will be no fitness test, no contact experiments, no guessing.

With the club's slim finals hopes on the line against Canberra, there is no time to wait and no point saving himself, even if he jokes he could be on a stretcher after four minutes.

"l'm confident it is all sweet and I'm ready to go, I wouldn't come back and risk the team losing a man especially against an in-form side with some big fellas," he said.

"I'm not going to bother (with a fitness test). I had a good hitout last week and they were a bit tender, so I just thought I would wait this week, not bother testing them out and just see how they go on Sunday.

"I tried to get back for last week and it was too early. Every game now is probably a grand final for us, especially down there and they are coming off two good wins."

Queensland star Nate Myles also is doing all he can to play after a sternum injury left him unable to breathe properly for five days after Origin III.

Myles completed yesterday's full training session with the team but no decision on his availability for the Raiders game will be made until the final workout on Saturday.

"Nate will play whenever he can. I think he was still struggling on the Monday (last week) to breathe," Bailey said.

"I think there's no real damage, just a lot of bruises. He gets through a lot of work, especially in three Origins so credit to him he has got himself right and is ready to go."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au

[Jamal's Hamstring]

Surely this is just an over excited media article. I hope he trained ok or had a fitness test because if he falls over and we end up a man down early its all bad.

[DIEHARD]

Yea I remember seeing Nate Myles on the Game Plan the day after Origin, he not only could breath but came across well.

[Jamal's Hamstring]

More concerned about Bailey but would really hope no one runs on under done.

[DIEHARD]

Raging 'Bull' ready for Raiders

The Jetstar Gold Coast Titans have been boosted by the return of Prop Luke Bailey for their round 19 clash against the Raiders in Canberra.

Watching the team struggle against the Warriors last weekend wasn?t the only painful memory Bailey has had to deal with in recent weeks.

A decision on whether Nate Myles (sternum) will play against the Raiders is yet to be decided, with his fitness to be tested at the team's final training session on Saturday morning.

Watch the Titans TV Video to hear what 'Bull' has to say. (http://www.titans.com.au/news-display/Raging-Bull-ready-for-Raiders/59141)

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

[Titanic]

Last roll of the dice.

[Jamal's Hamstring]

Last roll of the dice.

Did you not see my feat of mathematical genius?!

I'm happy to remain optimistic if the Raiders roll us here, but if we lose this one and next week we may as well start the 2013 threads.

[DIEHARD]

Did you not see my feat of mathematical genius?!

I'm happy to remain optimistic if the Raiders roll us here, but if we lose this one and next week we may as well start the 2013 threads.

It's serious stuff. And it's sad to have dropped a few games we shouldn't have and those blood injuries have really wounded us.

[patskE]

carty loves having to hookers in the side.
friend/amos
smara/lawton

i think he loves having a fresh man at dummy half... aswell as he always seems to put them both on with 15 to go when we are behind to go for the win

[DIEHARD]

Oh dont remind me of the friend/amos days!

[Rage]

Oh dont remind me of the friend/amos days!

Agreed!

[DIEHARD]

Road-tested Titans to worry Raiders

Gold Coast's knack for winning on the road has Canberra on high alert heading into Sunday's NRL clash when they host the Titans.

Gold Coast may be sitting in 13th spot on the ladder with just six wins to their name - but as Raiders coach David Furner points out, four of them have been away.

And with memories of last year's one-point loss to the Titans at Canberra Stadium still fresh in their minds, Furner said the Raiders won't be taking the game lightly.

"They're going to be very dangerous and they've got the best kicking game of the competition," he said.

"I did mention to the players that this is a side that out of their six wins, they've won four away.

"So we've got a real tough one.

"I see this as one of our hardest (at home)."

After their early season turmoil, Canberra are a squad renewed thanks to consecutive wins, against St George Illawarra and last week's giant-busting defeat over ladder leaders Melbourne.

Skipper David Shillington said the players are in the best head space they've been in all season.

Now the key was to put the high of last week's victory behind them and focus on continuing their solid form, giving particular note to Josh McCrone and Sam Williams' work in the halves.

"We won't hang our hat on it (the Storm game)," Shillington said.

"It was like we won the grand final how happy we were but I think that's just an indication of how much pressure we've been under.

"But it's no time to be complacent.

"Titans are going to be no push-over."

Injury-plagued Gold Coast will eagerly welcome back Luke Bailey and Nate Myles for the clash, which could well determine the finals legitimacy of both teams.

Shillington said the Raiders will be out to re-establish Canberra Stadium as a fortress on Sunday, given five of their eight remaining games of the season will be at home.

http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au

[Jamal's Hamstring]

Really? Best kicking game? I think our metre differential is good aswell.

Why can't we win games!?

[patskE]

cause our coach picks duds

[mikeyba]

cause our coach picks duds

nahh.. it not the team being picked they are quality..well on paper anyway. its just stupid errors.. if we could just hold the ball we would be at the top of the ladder.. most tries against us come off the back of a penalty or scrum from an error.. we put ourselves under too much pressure and give away to much ball which wears us out defensively.. its simple cut out the errors and we win games:poke:

[Titanic Believer]

nahh.. it not the team being picked they are quality..well on paper anyway. its just stupid errors.. if we could just hold the ball we would be at the top of the ladder.. most tries against us come off the back of a penalty or scrum from an error.. we put ourselves under too much pressure and give away to much ball which wears us out defensively.. its simple cut out the errors and we win games:poke:

The most basic skill of a "quality" player is to catch and pass and not make errors = completing sets. I think we highly over rate the quality of this squad.

[Jamal's Hamstring]

I might take a look at how we compare across the league with completed sets, penalties and ball handling errors.

[Rage]

nahh.. it not the team being picked they are quality..well on paper anyway. its just stupid errors.. if we could just hold the ball we would be at the top of the ladder.. most tries against us come off the back of a penalty or scrum from an error.. we put ourselves under too much pressure and give away to much ball which wears us out defensively.. its simple cut out the errors and we win games:poke:

Yeah you see it happen all the time now. The boys will be doing pretty well holding a team out defensively, keeping them well contained within their own half. It could even be a few repeat sets that they have to hold defensively and they'll do it. Then, someone gives away a stupid penalty and our line breaks.

[karnage]

We don't win because we play with a game plan that was successful in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The game has evolved and our coaching staff has been unable to move with the times. We win games in spite of our dreadful structure and stale game plan, a credit to the quality of our squad.

With decent direction in 2013 we are a chance of winning the whole thing. With Cartwright and Murphy in charge we will do well to finish with more wins than losses.

[Princey's Titanz]

gee up boys i smell a victory today.

[patskE]

... there are so many fringe players who are decent in the QCUP but just dont cut it in the NRL, but for some reason carty just keeps picking the same old lineup n doesn't give the kids a chance to play, n often these young guns more on.. micheals, odwyer, henderson, grahman, champion?, mini?

[Princey's Titanz]

We need to win this game. Its very crucial. If we do win this game and Dragons and Roosters lose as well this week then we will be sitting on 10the spot on the ladder. From there we just need to win and hope that both Tigers and Warriors start to lose matches. Just need to hope for the best. Its still possible. Just need to believe.

[Titanic]

I'm up for it but today is my day of no expectation, just resignation ... I am resigned to the team getting my hopes up and then letting me down ... but then again that's why I'm here, I suppose. Now work that out ... I must be a masochist because my wife will give it to me too.

Stuff all that ... come on boys, this is the week!!!

[Titanic]

How do they let Belcher commentate this game?

[gothabull]

C'mon titans!!!

[Titanic]

O'Dwyer to the centres and the goat in and James out.

[Titanic]

well there we go ... Sezer stuff up, Prince stuff up, Mini stuff up, O'Dwyer pathetic and Canberra in ... fark.

[karnage]

O'Dwyer in the centres. I am speechless. Cartwright must not actually watch the games.

Henderson in for James. I don't understand...

[DIEHARD]

How do they let Belcher commentate this game?

Or Gould or Brandy Panthers games.

[DIEHARD]

Well that was a terrible start. Unlucky from Aiden to be honest. Bad read by Gordon. What the hell is ODwyer playing in the centres?! It's a rerun of Titans tactics of ages past.

[thelwall]

zillman scoredddddddddd what has this world come too ?

[DIEHARD]

Zillman! Broke his duck. Must have seen our thread.

[teke]

OMG, anyone see that.............






















Linebreak try by Zillman :surprise:

[Titanic]

Zillman gets his first this century and it looks like a try-fest. Good on him, ran straight with purpose instead of jinking.

[Rage]

Oh we're a chance here, 6 tackles and so close to the line

[DIEHARD]

Zillman gets his first this century and it looks like a try-fest. Good on him, ran straight with purpose instead of jinking.

That's right!

Gordon in! Just like old times!!

[Rage]

Whoo! Shame about Ridge not getting his first try but Gordon gets one a couple tackles later!

[Titanic]

they're trying to find reasons not to allow tries ... but that'll do.

[DIEHARD]

A damn it missed the kick. What's with the crap goal kicking. It's like anti rugby union. Only tries scored. Hope it doesn't cost us!

[Rage]

Does anyone know what percentage Prince is kicking goals at this season? I thought he was generally pretty good at sideline kicks but not too good today so far

[DIEHARD]

Whoo! Shame about Ridge not getting his first try but Gordon gets one a couple tackles later!

I thought it was a try. Admittedly I didn't get a great look.

[Rage]

I thought it was a try. Admittedly I didn't get a great look.

Hmm it looked about a 50/50 call to me and we know the Titans never get one of those our way

[TITAN PETE]

We look like a much better side with Bails back

[Rage]

YES!! Michaels in !

[Titanic]

That was a great try ... yeehah!

[DIEHARD]

Mini sets up Michaels for a good try. Kick to come

[Titanic]

Idris on thr right.

[DIEHARD]

We look like a much better side with Bails back

I worship the ground he walks on!

[Titanic]

really poor kick x 2

[hatchy84]

Idris looking good
Zillman must be reading forum palm the kicking off scottu

[DIEHARD]

Prince can't kick em today! Give it to Aiden!

[DIEHARD]

Idris looking good
Zillman must be reading forum palm the kicking off scottu

Let the Titans Forum form a committee and captain/coach the side.

[Rage]

So far this feels like our game against Penrith, let's hope it keeps up

[Rage]

Douglas in right in the middle! Prince will surely kick this one

[Titanic]

give it me ... I'll kick it. Good try Douglas.

[TITAN PETE]

Weak try to Dougy but I love it :fist:

[teke]

Raiders woeful and me likey !!!

[DIEHARD]

Douglas!!! Hell yea. Titans machine in awesome form. And Scott finally kicks a goal! 18-4 only 23mins in.

Can we win but also smash some club records?

[Rage]

Nice, we get our first conversion haha!
If our attack stays like this, maybe we could break the elusive 40

[TITAN PETE]

What about Kimmorlys comment "Titans 2nd worst attacking team leading 18-4 With nothing to play for"

Wanker

[Rage]

Argh! Stupid penalty letting Raiders make ground they were never gonna make themselves

[DIEHARD]

Outta trouble here for the time being. Thankful to see the ball in Zillmans hands.

[Jamal's Hamstring]

Lolz.

Jamal and Willy playing well and giving us forumites the finger.

[DIEHARD]

What about Kimmorlys comment "Titans 2nd worst attacking team leading 18-4 With nothing to play for"

Wanker

****ing oompa loompa!

[DIEHARD]

Lolz.

Jamal and Willy playing well and giving us forumites the finger.

Haha and loving it.

[Rage]

Michaels in!!!

[DIEHARD]

Holy ****. Jamal... Michaels.... Great try!

[Titanic]

Michaels ... the flyer.

[Rage]

Bah! Maybe Sezer should do goal kicking for today at least

[Jamal's Hamstring]

Our backs playing well.

Prince is a ****house kick.

[Titanic]

the goat owned

[Jamal's Hamstring]

Hendololololololol.

[DIEHARD]

Great finish by Michaels. Now we need to hold them out to halftime. Put the Raiders to sleep.

[Rage]

the goat owned

That hit was massive!

[DIEHARD]

Awesome "tackle" from Prince here. One for the highlight reel. : P

[Titanic]

did he just say staright into his balls

[DIEHARD]

the goat owned

Huge huge hit.

[DIEHARD]

Titans Forum says Aiden to kick our goals?

Another try before half time would be lovely.

[Titanic]

prince should forget his kicking game

[DIEHARD]

Raiders fans. League leaders in milking penalties.

[DIEHARD]

Stop coming outta the line Idris!

[DIEHARD]

Zip Zip!!! We have a fullback out there! Great return. No support though.

[Rage]

Zillman cleaning up their grubbers really well

[DIEHARD]

Looks like we can hold em out. With one more chance to score ourselves.

[TITAN PETE]

Great kick & chase

We don't want halftime...

[Titanic]

we are getting too clever and the mistakes return

[Rage]

Mini plays best when he doesn't try to offload

[thelwall]

thats it ^^^

[Boonarga]

Zip Zip!!! We have a fullback out there! Great return. No support though.

He did have support, but the lazy bastard was doing a dog-trot and Zillman ran away from him.
Although, it is good to see the lazy bastard run straight for a change.

[teke]

Seen this type of game from the Raiders all too often.

This game is def not over at all, they have a habit of putting on 30 pts in a few mins if a team lets them.

Michaels to retain the right wing next week :D

[Jamal's Hamstring]

Now all we need to do another forty...

Kind of disappointed I didn't make the trip now.

[Rage]

Agreed! Complacency and giving away stupid penalties are gonna be our biggest enemies in the second half. But! if things continue as they have been, maybe we'll get that 40 this time

[gotitans101]

I missed the first half. Have the Raiders just been awfully bad or have we been genuinely pretty good?

[Julius Sezer]

Good start. Lets keep it that way.

[Titanic]

We've been really good and Raiders shellshocked. This is not over until the fat lady screams "get off".

[Jamal's Hamstring]

I missed the first half. Have the Raiders just been awfully bad or have we been genuinely pretty good?

Both but pretty much our most creative performance from the backs.

Jamal playing like MOM is paid in happy meals.

[DIEHARD]

Now all we need to do another forty...

Kind of disappointed I didn't make the trip now.

Too right. I've gone down there three times. Not this year though. Just can't afford it right now. Well done to the Titans there. I love seeing em get rewarded.


Old mate Greg is down there.

[Rage]

Both but pretty much our most creative performance from the backs.

Jamal playing like MOM is paid in happy meals.

hahahaha post of the year material

[DIEHARD]

Both but pretty much our most creative performance from the backs.

Jamal playing like MOM is paid in happy meals.

I laughed out loud.

Kick off back in the hands of the Titans. Bounced off goal posts. Gotta be good luck!

[Rage]

Oh come on! Seriously another penalty to let the Raiders stroll up.

[Jamal's Hamstring]

I just don't know how Raiders fans cope with these bi polar performances. I can't imagine what the frustration is like.

[Rage]

Wtf! Talk about no support at all..

[Titanic]

pathetic dummy half from Falloon

[DIEHARD]

I just don't know how Raiders fans cope with these bi polar performances. I can't imagine what the frustration is like.

I agree and think the same of Souths fans.

Thank god they didn't get that try

[DIEHARD]

Wtf! Talk about no support at all..

Was mucho embarrassing.

[Rage]

I just don't know how Raiders fans cope with these bi polar performances. I can't imagine what the frustration is like.

I agree but at the same time, we've had to cope with similar things. Particularly, last year it was just bad game after bad game, not even some good games to qualify as bi-polar.

[Titanic]

I am sick of hearing of Earle being unbeaten ... stick it right up him Ridge.

[DIEHARD]

Wow. Good call by refs and ODwyer appealing. I thought we were being cheeky appealing.

[Julius Sezer]

even though we are winning we seem to still give away silly penalties and errors.

[Titanic]

Great try Falloon.

[Rage]

Falloon in!! Prince will kick this for sure as well.

[DIEHARD]

Scored with Falloon! Hell yea. 28-4. I hope we can push on with it.

[Jamal's Hamstring]

Zillman continuing.

[Rage]

O'Dwyer scores now!

[Titanic]

Ferguson ... what a sheila.

[gotitans101]

lol that was soft by Canberra there.

[Julius Sezer]

Zillman making more linebreaks in one game then he has all season.

[Rage]

The sad thing is that if Prince had kicked all the goals, we would have hit 40.
Hmm and Sezer comes off with some injury, hope it's a small one otherwise our season is over

[gotitans101]

Oh man. We really don't wanna lose Sezer for Friday night's game against the Broncos. :frown:

[Julius Sezer]

We would have been on 42 points if Prince converted all the tries. Is Sezer injured?

[DIEHARD]

Currently ahead of our best winning margin of 26 points. Nearly got our biggest score.

[Jamal's Hamstring]

Maybe we need another Prince thread.

Cartwright needs to adopt the under seven policy of letting the try scorer kick for goal.

[DavidBouveng]

Princes kicking is making it look closer than it is. Could be 40-4

To win by 39 would be sweet to get us into a positive points differential.

[Rage]

We would have been on 42 points if Prince converted all the tries. Is Sezer injured?

He came off with a hand/wrist injury.

[Julius Sezer]

Titans dont give away easy tries towards the end of the game. Its all about +/-

[Julius Sezer]

whose playing 5/8 now? Srama?

[TITAN PETE]

15 minutes to go & the crowd is pouring out the gates :laugh:

Great supporters :?)

[DIEHARD]

Scenes of Raiders fans pouring towards the gates in the 65th minute in TV. LOL

[Julius Sezer]

Titans are giving away stupid penalties

[hatchy84]

We have already switched off

[Titanic]

we need points differential ... Ijust hope we don't go to sleep here. Peyroux is much better in the backrow.

[Jamal's Hamstring]

God sakes why is Michaels in the team. Would rather want Graham or Peyroux. Geez Carty.

Cough....

[DIEHARD]

Really worried about how Aiden's wrist pulls up.

[Boonarga]

Looks like Prince to 5/8 and Srama to 1/2

[thelwall]

yeh srama :)

[Rage]

Zillman!! Yes!!

[thelwall]

zip zip woooooooooooooo

[Titanic]

he can only play in Canberra

[Jamal's Hamstring]

Zilly double!

[Jamal's Hamstring]

If Prince took his kicking tee to Canberra we'd have fifty.

[Rage]

Hmm..possible broken hand for Sezer. Doesn't look too good.

[gotitans101]

Not looking good for Sezer. Who do we put in the halves for the Broncos game then?

[Titanic]

really crap scrambling

[gotitans101]

FFS. Have we just given up?

[Titanic]

that is really crap

[Rage]

And there goes the big points differential we were hoping for..

[Jamal's Hamstring]

Play the full eighty ****ing.

[Julius Sezer]

i knew that would happen. We always gift tries towards the end of the game

[DIEHARD]

These late defensive lapses isnt doing us justice. But well done for our team with so many errors. Zillman for MOM

[Rage]

Just disappointing that the margin makes the game look a lot closer than it really was. But I guess we should just get used to that.

[thelwall]

****kkkk me

[Titanic]

that's why we won't play in the finals ... no desperation when it matters

[Smakked]

What a ****in disgrace

[Jamal's Hamstring]

Disgusting.

Nothing ****s me more than teams rolling over.

[Rage]

At least this didn't happen early on in the second half, otherwise we'd be having another Tigers game scenario..

[hatchy84]

F#&%ing ****

[Boonarga]

I'm not fussed at all by the finish. We won, and easy.

[teke]

I didnt see much at all throughout the whole game that said the Titans were playing good. To be honest I thought they were just average.

[TITAN PETE]

We won & won easy happy to get the points not happy with the last 10 minutes

Zillman best game of his career & welcome back Bails & Myles, awesome effort from both..

[Titanic Believer]

Ahh! that's the Titans I know. Get a big lead and throw it away!!!

[Boofhead]

Last 10 was disappointing sure, but the two points is more valuable than P/D.

[hatchy84]

Hope sezar ok with bird harro back we don't lose another game

[Rage]

I think it's safe to say Sezer isn't gonna be able to play next week so pray Carty doesn't put Zillman in at 5/8.

[Jamal's Hamstring]

I think a lot of our tries came from long range efforts that are typically stiffled by teams who aren't Penrith, Parramatta or Canberra.

Zillman played an awesome game. Jamal looked the best he has for us. Michaels got in the clear a couple of times and burnt off defenders.

I want to say some awesome individual efforts but nothing to suggest the coaching department has come up with something special. Is that harsh?

[Jamal's Hamstring]

I think it's safe to say Sezer isn't gonna be able to play next week so pray Carty doesn't put Zillman in at 5/8.

Just got MOM at fb so in Cartyland let's move him into the halves.

[hatchy84]

Hope he don't put bird their either

[TITAN PETE]

Rankin will probably get a start next week , he's played every game at 5/8 for Burliegh & although they have struggled this year he has played well at 6

[Titanic]

Srama/Prince as halves if Sezer is out. Anyone feel a Beau Henry coming on? I'm ecstatic with the two points and the fact that we were so disrputed by changes allowed the team to get away from Cartwright's structure. Next week will be the real test now. Brisbane are more busted than we are.

[Rage]

If it is indeed Srama/Prince in the halves, then we'll be very lucky to have let Falloon play a large majority of today. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Carty really does put Zillman (after getting MOM at fullback) or Bird at 5/8 though.

[Boofhead]

Last time Zillman got shifted from fullback after getting MOM he dudded (prelim 2010).

[Nick]

Rankin played fullback for burleigh today and was excellent.. he basically played every position for them, he was the one shining light for the woeful bears.

[shamus]

I can't believe you mob that are bagging the boys for dropping off with 10 to go. I to am disappointed but I refuse to bag them, after all we were not supposed to win today. I am stoked we got the points and although it may come down to for and against at round 26 end I will just sit back and except the win for today and cross that other bridge when we get to it.:thumbsup:

[Jamal's Hamstring]

* Nevermind.

[teke]

Srama and Falloon are both Hookers nothing else.

Rankin to 5/8 and all is sweet

[Tamwelg]

Srama and Falloon are both Hookers nothing else.

Rankin to 5/8 and all is sweet

:salute: :salute: :salute: :salute: :salute:
And Srama is our number 1 hooker at that. Our points dried up for a while today when he went off. He was making all the right decisions and giving great service.

[Toads]

Quote of the Match, from one of Foxtel's Commentators.. "It looks as if Jamal is in the mood to run today."

Gotta amdit, it was refreshing to see him play some footy today. Hopefully it'll spur him on to bigger 'n better things for the rest of the season.

Pretty good effort in general. Apart from the first 5 minutes, and last 10 minutes. Can't believe we still slacken off to that extent, every now 'n then. Makes us look very amateurish 'n unprofessional to say the least. No team should be gifting tries like that, this day 'n age at a National level. Princey needs to give the kickin' away. Should've had another 10-12 points on top of that score today.

They're only two things I found disappointing today. As it was nice to see the Lads carry some decent form throughout the most of the 80 minutes. Quite a refreshing change that helps inspire us fans. Hopefully it'll be enough to inspire a good home crowd so the grandstands aren't full of Maroon 'n Gold, come next Friday Night.

[Supergoose]

I really enjoyed today's game for 70 minutes. Wise to erase the last 10 minutes from the memory banks. Falloon showed he is a very capable hooker without being brilliant. He gives us options at least to play Srama in the halves if we don't think Rankin is up to it (I think Rankin is a fine half but Srama probably edges him at this stage). Idris on the right side is the way to go, he just looks more comfortable. Zillman was great today and produced what we've been missing. The left centre position is still a concern. I still think despite Zillman's star showing at fullback today he would give us more from left centre. Mead to fullback and whoever to right wing (michaels was fine today but was untested really).

[Hail Sezer]

Happy with the win..Minus the final 10..

On the performance..was happy overall, Jamal managed to run straight instead of side to side for the most part and even Zillman managed to do that thing where you get the ball and place it over the chalk at the far end of the field..

About time Sezer got a crack at goal kicking duties and I'm hoping his wrist heals up asap. As for his replacement, I'd like to see nothing more than Rankin brought in or Srama shifted to half. If Carty makes 5 billion positional changes I'm gonna be pissed.

[teke]

Quote from Raiders Forum

I'm shocked it was only six - Zillman made at least four line breaks just on kick returns. It's one thing getting carved up by Slater or Benji Marshall, but getting absolutely rogered by Zillman, Steve Michaels and O'Dwyer is truly an indictment.

:laugh: :laugh:

[Boofhead]

Quote from Raiders Forum

I'm shocked it was only six - Zillman made at least four line breaks just on kick returns. It's one thing getting carved up by Slater or Benji Marshall, but getting absolutely rogered by Zillman, Steve Michaels and O'Dwyer is truly an indictment.

:laugh: :laugh:

Classic haha.

Jesus guys. Zillman made 240 meters with 17 tackle breaks for 5 lines breaks. I mean, holy ****. This will surely bring some confidence in to the bloke.

[Tamwelg]

Classic haha.

Jesus guys. Zillman made 240 meters with 17 tackle breaks for 5 lines breaks. I mean, holy ****. This will surely bring some confidence in to the bloke.

He has always had the ability he just needs to do that more often now. Full credit though, he had a blinder.

[TITAN PETE]

Titans eye finals after thumping Raiders

By Crystal Ja AAP Sun, Jul 15, 2012 - 5:15 PM

Gold Coast coach John Cartwright says the Titans' 38-26 flogging over Canberra proves it's never wise to write off teams until the close of the NRL season.

With seven games to go, the Titans are only two points out of the eight after their eight-try demolition job on the Raiders at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.

The Titans scored five unanswered tries in the first half to have the game all but wrapped up at the break with a 22-4 margin, on the way to a final 12-point win.

"We're at the stage now where we have to win," Cartwright said.

"There's no hiding from that.

"But with the side that we have - whether we're mathematically possible to make the eight - I wouldn't write us off.

"If we can win the majority of our games, we can find ourselves there."

It's the seventh win of the Titans' up-and-down season, but more impressively their fifth away from Skilled Park.

Captain Scott Prince was at a loss to explain their enviable away record.

"I take my pillow away. Maybe that works," he joked.

"A couple of years ago we made Skilled Park a bit of a fortress - I think we only lost one - and our away record was pretty dismal, so I don't know."

He admitted confidence was high for the visitors heading into the match.

"Our main focus was just to get into a grind with the Raiders, really work their big men in the middle and then it would open up on the edges," Prince said.

"I guess it's fortunate for us it panned out."

The Raiders, whose own finals fortunes hang by a thread, were up to their old tricks with a lacklustre defence.

Captain David Shillington said he could see a pattern emerging after scoring an early try only to let the game slip away from them.

"We actually did that against the Cowboys as well, we scored a good one early on and made an error and dropped our bundle, so there's some sort of pattern there."

Coach David Furner agreed, arguing Blake Ferguson's opening try got the Raiders feeling "too comfortable".

But he said the Raiders are still full of belief they can still make the eight, with Cronulla looming as their next challenge at Toyota Stadium in a week's time.

[DIEHARD]

Quote from Raiders Forum

I'm shocked it was only six - Zillman made at least four line breaks just on kick returns. It's one thing getting carved up by Slater or Benji Marshall, but getting absolutely rogered by Zillman, Steve Michaels and O'Dwyer is truly an indictment.

:laugh: :laugh:

That is hilarious. They must be spewing! :argue:

[Titanic]

Although he had a fine game, I wouldn't get too carried away over that ... his last game like that was two seasons ago and then a lifetime before that.

[DIEHARD]

Although he had a fine game, I wouldn't get too carried away over that ... his last game like that was two seasons ago and then a lifetime before that.

I hope he backs up with a stellar performance against the Broncos.

I dont want to wait until 2014 for another performance like that!

[karnage]

I wouldn't count on Bird - I am hearing that he might be out for the rest of the year.

[DIEHARD]

I wouldn't count on Bird - I am hearing that he might be out for the rest of the year.

Yea.. Im not expecting him back for a while, certainly not this week. What a devastating loss. He is exactly what we need.

You hear about Origin wrecking some teams but never the Titans. But it does.

[karnage]

Yea.. Im not expecting him back for a while, certainly not this week. What a devastating loss. He is exactly what we need.

You hear about Origin wrecking some teams but never the Titans. But it does.

You might hear about it wrecking us if we were genuinely in the race for the finals. It's hard to expect quality coverage when the team can't perform well enough on the field to earn it.

[Princey's Titanz]

Its going to be a good matchup this week when we take on the Broncs :thumbsup:

[Rage]

Classic haha.

Jesus guys. Zillman made 240 meters with 17 tackle breaks for 5 lines breaks. I mean, holy ****. This will surely bring some confidence in to the bloke.

Watch Zillman get put into 5/8 instead of further developing as a fullback...

[DIEHARD]

Stats Insider - Shoot to Zill

The Jetstar Gold Coast Titans scored an important win on the road in Round 19, with a number of players producing some of their best form, none more so than William Zillman.

The fullback scored two tries, and made an astonishing 5 line breaks, 17 tackle breaks and ran for 240 metres in a Man of the Match performance. While Zillman has had some solid outings of recent weeks, it?s finally been reflected in his statistics. If he can repeat these sorts of efforts for the remainder of the season, his opposition better look out.

Here are a few more stats coming out of the 38-26 win over the Raiders.

| STAT |
Steve Michaels made the most of his opportunity against the Raiders, scoring a magnificent double. He also produced 3 tackle breaks, a line break and ran for 104 metres, and has been rewarded with a new three year deal with the club, which you can read about here.

| STAT |
The return of Luke Bailey couldn?t have come at a better time, with the experienced prop making a game-high 21 runs for 169 metres and 2 offloads in a big 58 minute performance. Bailey displayed few signs of the rib injury that hampered his season to date - a positive sign for the Titans headed towards the back end of the season.

| STAT |
Not many props can claim to have decent play-making skills - but Luke Douglas sure does. He came up with a try, try assist as well as a handy 19 tackles and 87 metres in his 44 minutes on the park, showing just how versatile he is.

| STAT |
While there were some terrific individual performances (as mentioned above), the team as a whole dominated possession, with 57%. They also completed 29/36 sets (81%), which holds the side in good stead for the highly anticipated clash with the Broncos.

Next Up:
In Round 20, the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans welcome the Broncos to Skilled Park next Friday July 20 with kick-off at 7.35pm.

http://www.titans.com.au

[DIEHARD]

You might hear about it wrecking us if we were genuinely in the race for the finals. It's hard to expect quality coverage when the team can't perform well enough on the field to earn it.

Good point karnage.