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DIEHARD
27-07-14, 08:19 PM
COWBOYS vs TITANS

karnage
27-07-14, 09:00 PM
The Cowboys get us off back to back wins in Sydney - which has been the absolute Achilles heel of their club. They are building momentum and the recipe for a home win is simple, score 20 points.

If they score 20, they win.

If they make less than 15 errors they win.

It they commit less than 11 penalties they win.

So once again, as has been the case for the last 12 weeks, the outcome of this game has nothing to do with us and everything to do with the way the opposition play. Because, we don't do anything to actually win a game of football.

Puts Henry in an interesting position, preparing to play his old team in a game where their performance might get him closer to another first grade coaching appointment.

TITAN PETE
27-07-14, 09:11 PM
The Cowboys get us off back to back wins in Sydney - which has been the absolute Achilles heel of their club. They are building momentum and the recipe for a home win is simple, score 20 points.

If they score 20, they win.

If they make less than 15 errors they win.

It they commit less than 11 penalties they win.

So once again, as has been the case for the last 12 weeks, the outcome of this game has nothing to do with us and everything to do with the way the opposition play. Because, we don't do anything to actually win a game of football.

Puts Henry in an interesting position, preparing to play his old team in a game where their performance might get him closer to another first grade coaching appointment.

They'll win & I don't think we are even a slight chance to win another game this season....

Toads
28-07-14, 08:11 AM
They'll win & I don't think we are even a slight chance to win another game this season....

Tend to agree, Pete. We might be good for 1 more win this year though, but the circumstances would have to be as karnage mentioned, where the other team/s will implode and gift us the win.

Hail Sezer
28-07-14, 08:34 AM
Don't think we'll win this


looking forward to seeing JR vs Moga though

Titanic
28-07-14, 09:24 AM
There is a rumour going round that Searle on his way back from the Caymans has brought in a juju man to conjure up another win ... along with an effigy of my avatar ... ouch, those pins really hurt!

TITAN PETE
28-07-14, 09:28 AM
There is a rumour going round that Searle on his way back from the Caymans has brought in a juju man to conjure up another win ... along with an effigy of my avatar ... ouch, those pins really hurt!

If he's in the Caymans i hope they don't roll the fat tub back in the water

C-Whiz
28-07-14, 04:04 PM
Flash can't possibly play another game at FB. If he must be kept in the team to kick, then at least put him back to his left wing where he does his best work. The other thing he should be used for is kick-offs. He has a low, driving kick even when goal kicking and he should be aiming for the sideline around the 30m mark at every kick off. Worst case, they return from the 20/30 instead of the 20/10m, best case we find touch, they knock it on or we regather when they try to smother it with their feet. It's a simple option for a guy who strikes the ball very hard and low. It would be a prick of a ball to pick up when it skims off the bounce.

That's the best attacking play he has at the moment. I won't even bother with any defensive options.

gotitans101_
28-07-14, 05:01 PM
Carty said in the press conference Mead and Zilly should be close to returning for this game. If both are available, we all know who our fullback will be.

timor 2
29-07-14, 01:15 PM
Titans
1 Kevin Gordon
2 Anthony Don
3 James Roberts
4 Dave Taylor
5 David Mead
6 Brad Takairangi
7 Daniel Mortimer
8 Luke Douglas
9 Beau Falloon
10 Nate Myles (c)
11 Mark Minichiello
12 Paul Carter
13 Greg Bird

Interchange
14 Matthew White
15 Mark Ioane
16 Cody Nelson
17 Maurice Blair

Coach: John Cartwright

The only change this week sees David Mead return, slotting in on the wing for Kalifa Faifai Loa

teke
29-07-14, 01:20 PM
Returning from Hammy, you couldnt put Mead back to fb as there is way too much running involved.

Titanic
29-07-14, 02:03 PM
I don't want to appear sarcastic but I suppose now we are truly away from home are we expected to win this?

Titan4Life
29-07-14, 03:12 PM
Returning from Hammy, you couldnt put Mead back to fb as there is way too much running involved.

He's just going to put Zillman straight back there when he comes back. He doesn't even try to hide his love affair with Zilly.

Titanic
29-07-14, 04:43 PM
Is Zillman playing QCup anybody?

Boonarga
29-07-14, 04:49 PM
Gordon selected at FB after last weeks "effort".
:cry:

Hail Sezer
29-07-14, 04:59 PM
Is Zillman playing QCup anybody?

We wish

Anybody been following Jamal Fogartys cup progress? Hes killing it at fullback

teke
29-07-14, 05:05 PM
Gordon getting stood up by hayne isn't so bad cause he did a nice lil jink and weave.

It's the low impact on kick returns/runs that does it for me, team needs better impact to start their sets

Titanic
29-07-14, 05:22 PM
Hey Teke, I totally agree with your comment about jinking 5 times in 5 meters and slowing down to get smashed ... he must be a masochist ... reminded me of Fred Flintstone bowling.

lonegull
29-07-14, 06:14 PM
We wish

Anybody been following Jamal Fogartys cup progress? Hes killing it at fullback

Totally agree he has been one of the main reasons why tweed has been winning, he is in exceptional form, the future looks bright with jamal and jahrome in the ranks

Titan4Life
29-07-14, 06:25 PM
Totally agree he has been one of the main reasons why tweed has been winning, he is in exceptional form, the future looks bright with jamal and jahrome in the ranks

They will be stars. Hopefully we keep them here and don't let them go.

mup23
29-07-14, 06:26 PM
Hey Teke, I totally agree with your comment about jinking 5 times in 5 meters and slowing down to get smashed ... he must be a masochist ... reminded me of Fred Flintstone bowling.

Even Nate Myles does that now (for the Titans, not so much for Qld or Australia)

teke
29-07-14, 06:33 PM
Hey Teke, I totally agree with your comment about jinking 5 times in 5 meters and slowing down to get smashed ... he must be a masochist ... reminded me of Fred Flintstone bowling.:laugh:

Not what I meant but works that way aswell.

C-Whiz
29-07-14, 07:10 PM
Gordon getting stood up by hayne isn't so bad cause he did a nice lil jink and weave.

It's the low impact on kick returns/runs that does it for me, team needs better impact to start their setsyep, he comes back slow and turns to protect the ball, no intention at all of breaking the line or even trying to bend it. I don't blame him for this though, he's out of his depth at FB and at least has the good sense to maintain possession and not be driven back in-goal. It's the safest options, and it's the best option for him IMO.

- - - Updated - - -

Does anyone else think he should kick for touch on kick off? Or for an error from the opposition gathering it. He has such a powerful flat driving kick, but no hang time.

Mexican titan
29-07-14, 07:18 PM
Hey Teke, I totally agree with your comment about jinking 5 times in 5 meters and slowing down to get smashed ... he must be a masochist ... reminded me of Fred Flintstone bowling.

Didn't Fred occasionally get up on his toes as he bowled. I don't think Kevvy gets on his toes but occasionally does a 360 like Fred did.

- - - Updated - - -


- - - Updated - - -

Does anyone else think he should kick for touch on kick off? Or for an error from the opposition gathering it. He has such a powerful flat driving kick, but no hang time.

You have a point there C-Whiz but I would probably prefer it if we didn't have to kick off as much!
Your point about kick offs and hang time just shows how poorly coached we are. Just about all other sides seem to have a specialist kick off person who kicks deep and gets hang time whereas with us it's just another skill that is overlooked.

Titan4Life
29-07-14, 07:21 PM
Does anyone else think he should kick for touch on kick off? Or for an error from the opposition gathering it. He has such a powerful flat driving kick, but no hang time.

Yeah, he does have a low driving kick on him when he goes for conversions. It could put us on the back though if we kick it straight to them at the 30-40. However like you previously said, we don't have any other real attacking plays.

C-Whiz
29-07-14, 07:24 PM
You have a point there C-Whiz but I would probably prefer it if we didn't have to kick off as much!
Haha, yep, true.

TITAN PETE
30-07-14, 11:34 AM
Cowboys v Titans preview
By Steven Ross, North Queensland Correspondent
NRL.com
11:55am Wed 30th July, 2014


Cowboys v Titans
1300SMILES Stadium
Saturday 5.30pm

This one shapes as an intriguing contest between two teams that are seemingly right where they want to be – the Cowboys back at home and the Titans some 1400 kilometres away from theirs.

After playing the part of road warrior these past two weeks, the Cowboys will again want to channel that combative side this week against a Titans side that has silenced their critics every time they have been counted out. The task should prove a little easier though, with the home side sporting a specially-made Thor jersey thanks to the NRL’s unofficial 'Marvel Round', which will see four other clubs (Sea Eagles, Roosters, Dragons and Raiders) become superheroes for a day.

It’s home sweet home for North Queensland as they will grace the Townsville turf for the first time in over a month at a venue that has been nothing but a graveyard for opposing sides, while Gold Coast will want to add to their competition-best record (6-2) at away venues.

While it’s a costume party up north at the moment, the Coasters are currently enduring one of the club’s most serious periods since their inauguration in 2007. Along with the fallout of a salary cap investigation, they are dealing with an all-encompassing review of the organisation.

In team news, the Cowboys welcome back friendly giant Matthew Scott after recovering from a fractured jaw. Prop partner James Tamou is named despite being taken to hospital with a suspected neck injury early in last week’s Bulldogs game. In a move Paul Green says is defence-oriented, Tautau Moga and Matthew Wright swap jerseys from last week, with Moga named on the wing and Wright in the centres.

Only one change for the Gold Coast this week. Speedster David Mead slots back to the wing after injury, replacing former Cowboy Kalifa Faifai Loa who suffered a knee injury against Parra last week.


Watch Out Cowboys: He's 123 kilograms, 185 centimetres and possesses a right-foot step that would have made every AND1 mixtape ever made if that were the game he played. The Titans have used Dave Taylor essentially as a forward in the past two weeks, with 13 first-receiver runs in each game. The only difference is that he now lives on the edge of the ruck. The Coal Train has chugged his way through a mountain of work in that period, running 353 metres, 31 hit-ups and nine tackle breaks. Can he wreak some more havoc this time around? We think he can... we think he can.

The standout stat in an otherwise ugly attacking profile is the Titans' ability to generate second-phase play. Sitting in second behind Cronulla, the two clubs have left the others for dead in this category over the course of 2014, but what does that say about this stat? The two leaders in offloads are in the bottom three teams for points scored this season. Their lack of attacking options will be compounded Saturday as the Cowboys are themselves still the best at wrapping up tackles and denying second-phase opportunities. North Queensland have been especially focused on locking up the ruck, after coming off games against Cronulla and the Bulldogs.

Watch Out Titans: Johnathan Thurston, Robert Lui, Michael Morgan. What more needs to be said? That’s right, we forgot Matt Scott and James Tamou. The combination of flair and function within these five players will likely make sure that Gold Coast’s last visit into the top eight was its final one in 2014. Since Paul Green’s experiment of moving Thurston to halfback three games ago the wily veteran has found himself in season-best touch, engaging the defensive line more and chancing his arm with one of those famous dummies that end in line breaks more often than not. The master has also managed three try assists and as many line break assists in that period.

We could go on about Morgan’s 14 try assists (tied for fifth-best in the competition) and Scott’s 149 metres per game (most by a prop), but the point has well and truly been made.

Plays To Watch: The Cowboys may not want to hear it, but we hope Australia’s answer to Usain Bolt gets another chance to engage the afterburners again this Saturday. James Roberts’ 60-metre solo try against Parramatta last week, where he scorched Semi Radradra and beat even Jarryd Hayne for pace, was spectacular to say the least, and has left this footy fan wanting more. His direct opponent this week is Kane Linnett, who is of the larger variety for an outside back, so we can only cross our fingers and hope that some real estate opens up on that right side.

Where It Will Be Won: Decision making. If it’s not the jerseys that have Gold Coast shaking in their boots, it will probably be the competition’s in-form halves pairing of Robert Lui and Johnathan Thurston. Unfortunately the Titans have run a second-string pairing most of the year and it shows, failing to reach 24 points in a game since Round 5 against the Storm. The glamour club currently sits third-last in points scored this season, just four points better than Newcastle. The ship needs to be steered in a structured and assertive fashion by the likes of Mortimer and Takairangi.
They could consider putting away the slapdash second-phase play and focus their creative streaks more structurally, instead of one-out hit-ups that hope to generate offloads.

The History: Played 14; Titans 8, Cowboys 6. If we were to put this head-to-head into a picture, it’s exactly the kind of thing you’d get from acclaimed artist Escher – it’s symmetrical. Long story short, the 12-game pattern that suggests a Titans win in the next couple of outings between the two.

What Are The Odds: The Cowboys ($1.30) are back home after two away wins, and have had slightly more money placed on them in head to head markets compared to the Titans ($3.50). Latest odds at Sportsbet.com.au.

Match Officials: Referee – Jared Maxwell; Assistant Referee – Gavin Badger; Sideline Officials – Rickey MacFarlane & Dave Ryan; Video Referees – Steve Chiddy & Steve Folkes.

Televised: Fox Sports 1 – Live, 5.30pm.

The Way We See It: Escher does make a case for a Titans victory, however he’s the only one. Logic dictates the Cowboys, in a season-best frame of mind, will be rampant over a Titans side trying its best to keep up appearances. The Cowboys are the best home defensive side in the NRL and their defensive gameplan matches up well with their opponent. Chuck in revenge factor from a Round 4 loss and we can only see this going one way; Cowboys by 20 points.

Titanic
30-07-14, 02:13 PM
Cows x 30 ... I hope our "coach" is reading this and using it as motivation.

Regarding kicking off ... if you lay the ball face up and pointing back at you, seam pointed at about 35 metre mark, then full swing kick it under the tip ... it will run along the ground, end over end flat out, almost impossible to grab safely. Also, it will jump up about 5 metres short of the sideline for a chaser or two. Just saying ... this used to be used a lot but has become a forgotten art form.

Hahaha ... "Twinkle Toes" Flintstone.

Titan4Life
30-07-14, 03:23 PM
Titans wary of superstar factor
July 30, 2014 - 1:06PM
Ed Jackson

Once bitten, twice shy.

That's the feeling Gold Coast coach John Cartwright has about coming up against a genuine rugby league superstar in Johnathan Thurston this Saturday.

The Titans were humbled by Parramatta fullback Jarryd Hayne last weekend, with the NSW and Australia star scoring two tries in a match-winning effort at CBUS Super Stadium.

And Cartwright says North Queensland half Thurston is just as capable of exploiting any space and time the Titans give him in this weekend's crucial clash in Townsville.

"He's a freakish player," Cartwright said.

"We had one last week we didn't handle all that well.
"We'll do our homework on him and basically we've got to keep him quiet. If he plays well, generally the Cowboys win."

Gold Coast head into the game knowing their hopes of ending a finals drought stretching back to 2010 are fading fast.

The Titans lie 13th on the ladder following the loss to the Eels, just two points behind the seventh-placed Cowboys but with a vastly inferior points differential.

Titans' co-captain Nate Myles says despite the need to turn things around, no-one at the club is panicking just yet.

"We're not looking at numbers at the moment we just know we need to improve," Myles said.

"The Cowboys are playing fantastic football. We know what we're up against and they've got some strike across the park. We're going to have to switched on up at Townsville.

"We all have the belief in our systems that we can get there (finals). We know we can beat any side on our day we're just lapsing too many times."

Myles has also dismissed off-field dramas involving a full review of the club by the board which has put Cartwright's position under pressure.
"In my time at the Titans it hasn't exactly been smooth sailing," he said.

"As a playing group it's pretty easy to focus on the football. To be honest that's all we should be focusing on. We can't control anything else."

karnage
30-07-14, 03:29 PM
So the message from Cartwright is as clear a ps crystal:

We can't beat Canberra because of Milford
We can't beat Parra because of Hayne.
We can't Souths because of Inglis.
We can't beat Storm because of Slater.
We can't beat Cowboys because of Thurston.

But... IF we get some luck against teams without a superstar we should hopefully be able to keep them under our 18 point threshold, then if we get even more lucky bounces or intercepts or plays we can score those 18 points.

Could somebody please ensure that this makes it into the membership prospectus for next year.

Titan4Life
30-07-14, 03:34 PM
So the message from Cartwright is as clear a ps crystal:

We can't beat Canberra because of Milford
We can't beat Parra because of Hayne.
We can't Souths because of Inglis.
We can't beat Storm because of Slater.
We can't beat Cowboys because of Thurston.

But... IF we get some luck against teams without a superstar we should hopefully be able to keep them under our 18 point threshold, then if we get even more lucky bounces or intercepts or plays we can score those 18 points.

Could somebody please ensure that this makes it into the membership prospectus for next year.

It is sad that our only 'tactics' are luck and superstitions...He honestly has no idea how to coach :doh:

Hail Sezer
30-07-14, 03:50 PM
James Roberts could be out of this game with an injured hip at training today

DIEHARD
30-07-14, 04:49 PM
James Roberts could be out of this game with an injured hip at training today

Yea just saw this on TEN news. Not good. Also some talk of a virus going through the club. (No puns intended)

TITAN PETE
31-07-14, 09:17 AM
Titans prepare for 'JT' torment
By Tony Webeck, Chief Queensland Correspondent
NRL.com
12:00pm Wed 30th July, 2014


He has a more intimate knowledge of the capabilities of Johnathan Thurston than most but Titans assistant coach Neil Henry believes the left side defence that was left so exposed last week can handle whatever the Cowboys superstar throws at them.

With Brad Takairangi named at five-eighth and Dave Taylor in the centres for the third week in succession, Thurston will be plotting ways in which to force the Titans into defensive errors, something the Eels pairing of Chris Sandow and Jarryd Hayne did to great effect last Saturday.

Parramatta's opening three tries of the game came through the Titans' left edge but Henry believes it was the work on the inside that made them vulnerable out wide.

For the Eels' first try Sandow was able to hold up a pass for winger Ken Sio after Taylor rushed out of the line, Hayne burst through a gap between Takairangi and Greg Bird midway through the second half and then Sandow enticed Takairangi out of the line to put Hayne over in between Takairangi and Taylor.

All told Taylor has missed 11 tackles in his past two games in the centres and the success of Parramatta will have served as a blueprint that Thurston and Cowboys coach Paul Green will be poring over in the lead-up to their crucial clash at 1300SMILES Stadium on Saturday evening.

"Hayne went through between 'Birdy' and Taka and I thought Dave's been defending quite well out there actually," said Henry, who will be returning to Townsville for the first time since departing at the end of the 2013 season after five years there as head coach.

"He's mobile for a big fella and I thought he's been handling their speed men quite well. He's certainly getting his runs up and getting the full 80 minutes out which is a bonus for us.

"He came in a couple of times when he probably could have stayed out but he used his speed again to get to [Will] Hopoate so I thought there that the problem was on the inside of the line. We had a man shoot out of the line there which enabled Sandow to skip across and hit Hayne on a short ball so we've addressed that in our review so that we need to work together in the line.

"When you look at it, it comes down to a couple of defensive lapses and Jarryd's good enough to make you pay for it, and he certainly did."

Of concern to the Titans will be the fact that the Cowboys are becoming less reliant on Thurston due to the emergence of Michael Morgan at fullback. With 16 try assists Morgan is ranked fifth in the entire competition with Thurston at the top of the list with 20.

Morgan made his NRL debut under Henry at halfback in Round 9, 2010 and his former mentor has been impressed – but not surprised – with how he has adapted to his new role at the back.

"He'd played a fair bit of footy for the [Mackay] Cutters in the centre position so his running game has always been a strong point of his game and he had played that style of footy when he was younger as a junior," Henry recalled. "He hadn't played fullback before but he's certainly played in the outside backs before.

"It doesn't surprise me really. He had a disrupted year last year and he's got a good pre-season in and he's certainly a talent, he's slotted in there and been one of their more consistent players.

"He's got a good selection of passes and he can kick the ball. He's laid on a few tries with some selective passes and kicks so that's another dimension that not all fullbacks have because he's played in the halves.

"They're dangerous when they all link together and sweep and we saw evidence the other week where he was strong close to the line and got a try where he was on his knees for three or four metres and planted the ball. He's quite a big player; he's deceptive. He's over 6-foot and he can really run."

The Titans will share the fullback duties between Kevin Gordon and David Mead, who makes his return to the side after missing the past three weeks with a hamstring injury.

Kalifa Faifai Loa misses out on a trip to Townsville to face his former club after suffering a minor medial ligament strain in his knee against the Eels last weekend.

Titanic
31-07-14, 09:34 AM
Titans wary of superstar factor

Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - 2:07 PM
Source: AAP
Author: Ed Jackson

Once bitten, twice shy.
That's the feeling Gold Coast coach John Cartwright has about coming up against a genuine rugby league superstar in Johnathan Thurston this Saturday.
The Titans were humbled by Parramatta fullback Jarryd Hayne last weekend, with the NSW and Australia star scoring two tries in a match-winning effort at CBUS Super Stadium.
And Cartwright says North Queensland half Thurston is just as capable of exploiting any space and time the Titans give him in this weekend's crucial clash in Townsville.
"He's a freakish player," Cartwright said.
"We had one last week we didn't handle all that well.
"We'll do our homework on him and basically we've got to keep him quiet. If he plays well, generally the Cowboys win."
Gold Coast head into the game knowing their hopes of ending a finals drought stretching back to 2010 are fading fast.
The Titans lie 13th on the ladder following the loss to the Eels, just two points behind the seventh-placed Cowboys but with a vastly inferior points differential.
Titans' co-captain Nate Myles says despite the need to turn things around, no-one at the club is panicking just yet.
"We're not looking at numbers at the moment we just know we need to improve," Myles said.
"The Cowboys are playing fantastic football. We know what we're up against and they've got some strike across the park. We're going to have to switched on up at Townsville.
"We all have the belief in our systems that we can get there (finals). We know we can beat any side on our day we're just lapsing too many times."
Myles has also dismissed off-field dramas involving a full review of the club by the board which has put Cartwright's position under pressure.
"In my time at the Titans it hasn't exactly been smooth sailing," he said.
"As a playing group it's pretty easy to focus on the football. To be honest that's all we should be focusing on. We can't control anything else."

Old poopy draws must be looking forward to his holidays.

Geeman
31-07-14, 04:02 PM
Titans wary of superstar factor

Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - 2:07 PM
Source: AAP
Author: Ed Jackson

Once bitten, twice shy.
That's the feeling Gold Coast coach John Cartwright has about coming up against a genuine rugby league superstar in Johnathan Thurston this Saturday.
The Titans were humbled by Parramatta fullback Jarryd Hayne last weekend, with the NSW and Australia star scoring two tries in a match-winning effort at CBUS Super Stadium.
And Cartwright says North Queensland half Thurston is just as capable of exploiting any space and time the Titans give him in this weekend's crucial clash in Townsville.
"He's a freakish player," Cartwright said.
"We had one last week we didn't handle all that well.
"We'll do our homework on him and basically we've got to keep him quiet. If he plays well, generally the Cowboys win."
Gold Coast head into the game knowing their hopes of ending a finals drought stretching back to 2010 are fading fast.
The Titans lie 13th on the ladder following the loss to the Eels, just two points behind the seventh-placed Cowboys but with a vastly inferior points differential.
Titans' co-captain Nate Myles says despite the need to turn things around, no-one at the club is panicking just yet.
"We're not looking at numbers at the moment we just know we need to improve," Myles said.
"The Cowboys are playing fantastic football. We know what we're up against and they've got some strike across the park. We're going to have to switched on up at Townsville.
"We all have the belief in our systems that we can get there (finals). We know we can beat any side on our day we're just lapsing too many times."
Myles has also dismissed off-field dramas involving a full review of the club by the board which has put Cartwright's position under pressure.
"In my time at the Titans it hasn't exactly been smooth sailing," he said.
"As a playing group it's pretty easy to focus on the football. To be honest that's all we should be focusing on. We can't control anything else."

Old poopy draws must be looking forward to his holidays.

WOW, Carty making excuses for the loss before the game has even kicked off...

karnage
31-07-14, 09:03 PM
Just once I'd like to hear him say:

"They're a good side and they're going to put up points, we are going to have to be clinical in attack to ensure that we put up enough points to stay in the game".

The focus is ALWAYS negative.

Titan4Life
31-07-14, 09:08 PM
Just once I'd like to hear him say:

"They're a good side and they're going to put up points, we are going to have to be clinical in attack to ensure that we put up enough points to stay in the game".

The focus is ALWAYS negative.

Only a smart coach with proper footy brains would say this. Cartwright is not one of those so there is 0% chance of him saying that :)

nimud
01-08-14, 04:30 PM
I am expecting the boys to have the usually hard dig away from home. Although a win is not a certainty, I'd Be happy with a strong game from Gordon at fullback, if mead is shunned.
Also, disappointed this season that no one from NYC has even made the bench this season.
Gone are the days of a young 16 yr old playing grade at the titans, we import with shtting in pants panic!

Titan4Life
01-08-14, 08:22 PM
Anthony Don out with a virus running through Titans camp :( Brad Tighe on wing. Roberts and Carter likely to play despite hip and foot injuries respectively. Honestly in my years watching NRL I have never seen a team lose more players to injury then us.

Hail Sezer
01-08-14, 09:00 PM
I am expecting the boys to have the usually hard dig away from home. Although a win is not a certainty, I'd Be happy with a strong game from Gordon at fullback, if mead is shunned.
Also, disappointed this season that no one from NYC has even made the bench this season.
Gone are the days of a young 16 yr old playing grade at the titans, we import with shtting in pants panic!

I think that part of the problem is that we hit our 2nd tier cap really early due to all our injuries

Titan4Life
01-08-14, 11:07 PM
Gold Coast give David Mead licence to roam in move that could make him the Titans’ fullback
Travis Meyn
The Courier-Mail
August 01, 2014 12:00AM

IT is the licence to roam that could see David Mead blossom into the Gold Coast’s long-term fullback.

Mead will run into the key position whenever he feels necessary against North Queensland in Townsville on Saturday night in the hope of sparking a late-season charge to the finals.

In a move similar to what Roosters duo Anthony Minichiello and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck did on their way to winning the premiership last year, Mead and Kevin Gordon will rotate between the wing and custodian against the Cowboys.

It’s an arrangement that has proven successful for the Titans. Mead scored a slick try off an Albert Kelly inside ball against the Rabbitohs in round 17, despite regular fullback William Zillman being on the field.


Mead success could open the door to the fullback role long-term. Source: News Corp Australia
Mead will return from a three-week break with a hamstring injury on the wing but the 25-year-old said he was ready to chime in from the back when needed.

“That’s the plan, to rotate with Kev during the game when we get the messages,” he said.

“When I get a feel for it and sense an opportunity up the middle I’ll try and go in and help the boys out. I’ll be happy to get a run there but I’ve just got to focus on doing my job, whether wing or fullback.

“I’ve got to be switched on the whole game.”

The Titans head north and train in Townsville on Friday afternoon.

Mead’s return is a boost for the Titans, with the NSW Country fullback topping the club’s linebreaks (six) with Kelly this season.

The Papua New Guinea international has made no *secret of his desire to be the *Titans’ permanent No 1.

DIEHARD
01-08-14, 11:21 PM
Fortunately Ill get to watch this game this week. Going to a friend's place while Im still in oz.

DIEHARD
01-08-14, 11:23 PM
WTF we have two part time fullbacks? Ridiculous...

teke
01-08-14, 11:47 PM
Someone really needs to tell this club to jam it and go to another club.

I swear management DO NOT want Mead back there at all (Henry included)

Titanic
02-08-14, 08:48 AM
Sounds to me like we are just trying to survive until the end of this season.

DavidBouveng
02-08-14, 01:52 PM
Someone really needs to tell this club to jam it and go to another club.

I swear management DO NOT want Mead back there at all (Henry included)

i thought henry did want him at FB?

Titan4Life
02-08-14, 04:06 PM
Bailey IN, Ioane OUT

Titanic Believer
02-08-14, 04:22 PM
My interest in the season is over if no Qld teams make the final. So hoping Titans play well but the Cowboys get the points. Titans winning at this stage is meaningless unless they are good enough to win all the remaining games. sorry to be a heretic.

gotitans101_
02-08-14, 04:30 PM
Is Don injured? Or just dropped again for no reason?

Titan4Life
02-08-14, 04:32 PM
Is Don injured? Or just dropped again for no reason?

Sick from a virus going around camp. Tighe on the wing to replace him.

gotitans101_
02-08-14, 04:33 PM
Fair enough, cheers T4L.

Titan4Life
02-08-14, 04:54 PM
Fox commentators reporting Mead is our starting fullback.

- - - Updated - - -

Meady has blood pissing out of his head. Didn't see what happened but he is in the blood bin.

- - - Updated - - -

Roberts nearly pulled off a great try. Nearly grounded the ball before it went dead.

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NO TRY Cowboys. Nearly scored but Taumalolo held up by Carter.

gotitans101_
02-08-14, 05:02 PM
terrible game so far.

- - - Updated - - -

lol taking the 2.

Titan4Life
02-08-14, 05:16 PM
KG takes the penalty goal to put us in front.
2-0 Titans after 23 mins

- - - Updated - - -

Try Titans! Taka stepped and powered his way through the line. Kevvie kicks it
8-0 Titans 27 mins gone

- - - Updated - - -

Try Cowboys. Morgan chasing a kick and grounding it before the ball went dead. JT converts
8-6 Titans after 33 minutes

Hail Sezer
02-08-14, 05:16 PM
Tighe and out roberts to wing=roberts will get no ball

Titan4Life
02-08-14, 05:19 PM
Cows go back to back after soft defence by us let's Cooper go through and score. JT converts.
12-8 Cowboys after 36 minutes.

gotitans101_
02-08-14, 05:24 PM
garbage garbage garbage.

Titan4Life
02-08-14, 05:27 PM
Halftime: 12- 8 Cowboys
Good to see Meady at fullback again. Solid as usual. Probably be gone next week though, replaced by Zill****.

Game has been average at best. Both teams playing sloppy and giving away lots of penalties. Result could go either way but Cows will come back strong in the second half

Jonathonbcode
02-08-14, 05:45 PM
How the **** has Cartwright survived? I'm only 21 and it feels like I lose hair over the issue when it consumes my dialect in thought, haha.

Titan4Life
02-08-14, 05:47 PM
Another Cowboys try from Thurston. He converts
18-8 Cowboys after 46 mins

teke
02-08-14, 05:50 PM
Get mead off lol

Mexican titan
02-08-14, 05:53 PM
Good to see Meady at fullback again. Solid as usual. Probably be gone next week though, replaced by Zill****.



Solid but I think he should have made a better effort of cleaning up with the Cowboys first try, and then lost the ball to give the Cowboys their first try of the second half.

Titan4Life
02-08-14, 05:56 PM
Get mead off lol

We don't have a better option. Underdone Mead is better than every other FB option.

- - - Updated - - -

Another try by cows. We are done for tonight. Cartwright should be done as well.

Jonathonbcode
02-08-14, 05:59 PM
We don't have a better option. Underdone Mead is better than every other FB option.

- - - Updated - - -

Another try by cows. We are done for tonight. Cartwright should be done as well.

He wont be. I can imagine him tomorrow or even at the post game conference "Oh, nah mate..the injuries and just luck didn't go our way" And, he goes on to keep his job for another 20 years. It's a ****ing joke.

lonegull
02-08-14, 05:59 PM
If Cartwright is the man he said he is he should say that's it and walk away, how can Bailey be I'm front of Ioane, we have for nothing in attack if Blair puts he hand out for match payments from this game that will do me, I will sum it up " we are a team with no idea"

Titan4Life
02-08-14, 06:07 PM
He wont be. I can imagine him tomorrow or even at the post game conference "Oh, nah mate..the injuries and just luck didn't go our way" And, he goes on to keep his job for another 20 years. It's a ****ing joke.

Unfortunately that will probably be the case knowing our club.

- - - Updated - - -

This team is a joke. Need a new coach and need to get rid of the trash from this club.

- - - Updated - - -

Great to see Carter put A Sims on his ass. Great, aggressive style.

teke
02-08-14, 06:09 PM
We don't have a better option. Underdone Mead is better than every other FB option.

- - - Updated - - -

Another try by cows. We are done for tonight. Cartwright should be done as well.He's just having a uncharacteristic game.

Titan4Life
02-08-14, 06:11 PM
These refs are killing this game. Mead was not out then! They saw it and didn't overturn the decision!

lonegull
02-08-14, 06:13 PM
The refs want to play fairy football the titans not allowed to
Show aggression or get penalised

Titan4Life
02-08-14, 06:15 PM
The refs want to play fairy football the titans not allowed to
Show aggression or get penalised

Yeah, Carter 'taking the game out of our hands' because he put a few aggressive hits on Cowboys players.

lonegull
02-08-14, 06:18 PM
This is comical (excuse the pun)

Titan4Life
02-08-14, 06:21 PM
Yep this is deadset embarrassing footy being played by us. Nice pun there lonegull :)

Jonathonbcode
02-08-14, 06:22 PM
If the board has any self respect..they would sack Cartwright.

lonegull
02-08-14, 06:23 PM
Classy example when the refs can't handle the game they are nearly more than joke than the titans attack

gotitans101_
02-08-14, 06:26 PM
Well, I give up. If this sort of performance doesn't get Cartwright sacked then I don't know what will. Absolute f**king garbage.

Geeman
02-08-14, 06:28 PM
Penalizing Carter for a great tackle on Thurston - WTF!!!

Titan4Life
02-08-14, 06:36 PM
Cartwright has to go!!!! I have stuck up for him for years but enough is enough. The team can't execute plays and when they try to, someone knocks it on. Won't talk about our **** defence....

Not even going to do my post match review as EVERY SINGLE PLAYER WAS TERRIBLE. Just about had enough of the garbage performances delivered up every week by this team.

Mexican titan
02-08-14, 06:36 PM
While it's great to see aggression Carter was useless tonight until he "lost it". Penalties, dropped ball, you name it and he did it. I think he is a great young player but he will have a target on his head from the opposition and refs if he keeps going like he did tonight. A perfect example was the last tackle on JT - it was a great tackle but the refs were watching everything he did because of his lack of discipline earlier.
But overall another crap effort. Can't say any player was better than average.

Titan4Life
02-08-14, 06:39 PM
While it's great to see aggression Carter was useless tonight until he "lost it". Penalties, dropped ball, you name it and he did it. I think he is a great young player but he will have a target on his head from the opposition and refs if he keeps going like he did tonight. A perfect example was the last tackle on JT - it was a great tackle but the refs were watching everything he did because of his lack of discipline earlier.
But overall another crap effort. Can't say any player was better than average.

Mead played crap by his standards but still was the best Titan on the field. Hey think of the positives, at least we get the TP back next week :doh:

teke
02-08-14, 06:59 PM
Mead played crap by his standards but still was the best Titan on the field. Hey think of the positives, at least we get the TP back next week :doh:Bro! I love ya enthusiasm BUT...mead best on field lol.

My fav poster lolol

Titan4Life
02-08-14, 07:12 PM
Bro! I love ya enthusiasm BUT...mead best on field lol.

My fav poster lolol

I honestly can't think of anyone that played good. Maybe Morts but that's about it.

amaline
02-08-14, 07:20 PM
I honestly can't think of anyone that played good. Maybe Morts but that's about it.

I would agree with Mortimer. He was in everything tonight.

Titan4Life
02-08-14, 07:22 PM
I would agree with Mortimer. He was in everything tonight.

Yeah he is defensively vey strong. Pulled off several try saving tackles tonight.

Tartmaster
02-08-14, 07:26 PM
We don't have a better option. Underdone Mead is better than every other FB option.


Roberts should be fullback, it's ridiculous that he's not.
He's the most dangerous player we have and we're not using him, get him at the back let him get more involved in the game.
Get the ball in his hands and he'll do the rest.

The fact that we're playing a fullback at centre, a centre on the wing and a winger at fullback is just beyond stupid.

Titan4Life
02-08-14, 07:30 PM
Roberts should be fullback, it's ridiculous that he's not.
He's the most dangerous player we have and we're not using him, get him at the back let him get more involved in the game.
Get the ball in his hands and he'll do the rest.

The fact that we're playing a fullback at centre, a centre on the wing and a winger at fullback is just beyond stupid.

Yeah he will be dangerous with more ball. But has everyone given up on Mead. I mean last week everyone was begging for him to be at FB, now after 1 bad game every wants him to stay on wing. Make up your mind peeps.

As for the other selections, what do you expect from a crap coach who knows nothing about RL? The sooner he is gone, the better.

teke
02-08-14, 07:32 PM
Roberts should be fullback, it's ridiculous that he's not.
He's the most dangerous player we have and we're not using him, get him at the back let him get more involved in the game.
Get the ball in his hands and he'll do the rest.

The fact that we're playing a fullback at centre, a centre on the wing and a winger at fullback is just beyond stupid.no my friend, simply running around ppl isn't a fb. If you think he's got a better game than Mead at the back you are wrong.

Ausphin
02-08-14, 07:34 PM
I honestly can't think of anyone that played good. Maybe Morts but that's about it.

Brad Tighe did nothing wrong in the 7 minutes he was out there :)

Taka is no 5/8, nor a centre for that matter. Does bring that x-factor in attack but is also poor technically in defense. Maybe ideally next year an impact player off the bench. Mortimer tries hard, as does Luke Douglas, but this whole squad needs to be looked at.

Tartmaster
02-08-14, 07:37 PM
Yeah he will be dangerous with more ball. But has everyone given up on Mead. I mean last week everyone was begging for him to be at FB, now after 1 bad game every wants him to stay on wing. Make up your mind peeps.

As for the other selections, what do you expect from a crap coach who knows nothing about RL? The sooner he is gone, the better.
Don't get me wrong Meadys done bloody well in his time there, and he's definitely a million times better than Zillman.

It's just seems dumb that we've signed a promising young fullback and then chuck him in the centres and not give him any ball.

Titan4Life
02-08-14, 07:41 PM
Hopefully 2015:
1. Mead
2. Don
3. Roberts (GIVE HIM MORE BALL!!!)
4. Taylor
5. KFFL
6. Sezer
7. Morts/Kelly
8. Douglas
9. Srama
10. James (fit and not penalty conceded)
11. Myles
12. Bird
13. Carter (fix up his attitude and penalties)

14. Kingston
15. Ioane
16. Takairangi (second rower)
17. Kelly (utility)
COACH: NEIL HENRY

teke
02-08-14, 07:45 PM
Don't get me wrong Meadys done bloody well in his time there, and he's definitely a million times better than Zillman.

It's just seems dumb that we've signed a promising young fullback and then chuck him in the centres and not give him any ball.Welcome to the titans structure, same could be said about mead n Gordon I their early days. Yrs of no ball when clearly they could score at will given space.

Roberts was signed as an outside back, he was nothing more than a fb prospect at penrith even though he was fb of the yr in the kiddies comp. Cartright tempted to play mead at fb in 2010, if he had it wouldn't be an issue now

Titan4Life
02-08-14, 07:48 PM
Don't get me wrong Meadys done bloody well in his time there, and he's definitely a million times better than Zillman.

It's just seems dumb that we've signed a promising young fullback and then chuck him in the centres and not give him any ball.

I kinda hear what you are saying but as Teke said, Mead is an OVERALL better fullback. Roberts may have more speed and strength but Mead has great defence, catching and line running.

teke
02-08-14, 07:52 PM
I kinda hear what you are saying but as Teke said, Mead is an OVERALL better fullback. Roberts may have more speed and strength but Mead has great defence, catching and line running.umm may have? Very debatable

Titan4Life
02-08-14, 07:57 PM
Probably could have worded it better. I meant Roberts might be stronger and quicker but Mead has so much more. Know what I mean or am I making no sense? I have the tendency to do that sometimes ;)

DavidBouveng
02-08-14, 08:16 PM
i think Mead has a rough night, but i could count them one hand. I can also count Zills great games on one hand.

Mead is would be better Fb option right now, and Roberts is fine where he is if we give early ball. If you give him enough early space, he will burn them a decent amount of the time. If Meady isnt quite fit / confident yet after his injury, id personally give Don a crack. Could be Paul Hauff - the second coming.

I hope Mortimer stays in the side long term, he brings good energy and commitment. He and Sezer could be alright together, or even with Kelly if he was 100% fit and his normal self.

Carters effort has been phenomenal all year, but he went back to his over aggro issues that he had in the first month or so of the season.

Myles is slow and lies all over blokes all night. He is so cumbersome and plodding, it cant be that inspiring for his team mates.

we wont win any more games i dont think. and will finish with a 7 game losing streak to go with the 6 or 7 we ended only a few weeks ago. hope to club review lasts as long as the season. if we end up 8-16 for the year and he is still in charge, then the internal review needs an internal review.

Titan4Life
02-08-14, 08:20 PM
i think Mead has a rough night, but i could count them one hand. I can also count Zills great games on one hand.

Mead is would be better Fb option right now, and Roberts is fine where he is if we give early ball. If you give him enough early space, he will burn them a decent amount of the time. If Meady isnt quite fit / confident yet after his injury, id personally give Don a crack. Could be Paul Hauff - the second coming.

I hope Mortimer stays in the side long term, he brings good energy and commitment. He and Sezer could be alright together, or even with Kelly if he was 100% fit and his normal self.

Carters effort has been phenomenal all year, but he went back to his over aggro issues that he had in the first month or so of the season.

Myles is slow and lies all over blokes all night. He is so cumbersome and plodding, it cant be that inspiring for his team mates.

we wont win any more games i dont think. and will finish with a 7 game losing streak to go with the 6 or 7 we ended only a few weeks ago. hope to club review lasts as long as the season. if we end up 8-16 for the year and he is still in charge, then the internal review needs an internal review.

Agreed with everything you said. By the way an article I saw said the review will go for a month. So towards the end of season I guess

Jonathonbcode
02-08-14, 08:25 PM
How we can not make the 8 or even the top four with the talents of Mead, Bird, Myles, Taylor, Mortimer, Kelly, Minichello etc it's just bewildering..

Smakked
02-08-14, 09:30 PM
Go the Tahs.........


HAHAHA

That was a good game i just watched, the game i watched 5:30 tonight , absolute ****in garbage over this ****.If Carty is here next year i wont be.

karnage
02-08-14, 10:08 PM
A few points out of tonight:

1. John Cartwright has developed absolutely no plan or structure for the speed that James Roberts brings to our team. Tonight was an open and free flowing game early on and there was no direction to get him early ball in space. This is an indictment on the coach.

2. Dave Taylor is not a centre. He is a second rower who plays wide. The way Taumololo did tonight. Putting him in the centres means that teams can focus on him knowing that there is only a winger outside of him. Playing him in a traditional wide running second row role means that when one of our halves gets the ball he has the option of hitting Taylor or the centre. This was perfectly illustrated by Jonathan Thurston when he put Cooper away for a try in the first half.

3. It is laughable to think that the Titans would have a half running to the defensive line with options on his outside. I apologise for the absolutely ridiculous content in point 2.

4. Our attack is the worst in hone league, but our defence is not much better. When Cartwright goes Gilly should go with him. Don't allow the new head coach to be shackled to a very poor defensive coordinator.

5. Matt Scott and Gavin Cooper returned from long term injury tonight and looked fit, dynamic and well prepared. Mead came back from a medium term injury and looked underdone. Contacts close to him said he wasn't fit enough to play a full game at fullback. That is not good enough. As Cartwright and Gilly are walking out the door they can take the clowns in the strength and conditioning department with them as well.

6. I hope Gilly and the strength and conditioning staff aren't contracted through 2018 or something ridiculous like that!!

7. James Roberts spent a significant amount of tonight's game on hone wing. Could somebody please explain that to me.

8. Dave Taylor was given kick off duties and goal line drop out duties. If he is our number one option in the these areas we have significant skill development problems.

9. Apart from points 1 through 8 I really enjoyed the game!!

TITAN PETE
03-08-14, 05:54 AM
Frustrated Titans lose their cool
By Tony Webeck, Chief Queensland Correspondent
NRL.com
6:09am Sun 03rd August, 2014


Titans coach John Cartwright has chided his team for allowing a series of contentious calls to impact on their discipline as they self-destructed in their 28-8 loss to the Cowboys at 1300SMILES Stadium on Saturday night.

Trailing 12-8 at half-time, the visitors finished on the wrong side of a 7-4 penalty count in the second half as not only the game but their prospects of playing finals football for the first time in four years also slipped away.

Aggressive back-rower Paul Carter was penalised twice for hits on Ashton Sims and Johnathan Thurston while Dave Taylor took his frustration out on an unsuspecting teammate in Nate Myles when he barrelled into a tackle following a failed attempt at a short kick-off.

The Cowboys were controversially awarded a try in the 44th minute when Thurston was ruled to have grounded the ball despite an apparent lack of evidence in the video review to overturn the on-field 'no try' decision but Cartwright said that was no excuse for losing their composure.

"You can accept a lack of discipline here and there but a bit of frustration set in and discipline went out the window a bit in the second half," Cartwright said.

"You'd like to see that sort of aggression and energy but it's got to be within the scope of the game. We had stages where we probably went a bit over the top, I think they were frustrated with some decisions and in general the way the game was officiated.

"You had a linesman put his flag up and [Kevin Gordon] didn't go out. The tackle on 'JT', the video ref try after half-time, it was continuous.

"There was no evidence where the ball touched the ground. There wasn't a person in the ground who thought it was a try. The players, the crowd... the only two guys who thought it was a try were the two guys in the video box.

"We spoke about it after the game, that we lost our discipline in the second half but when you've got to get real about it, there are some things that just leave you scratching your head."

Primary referee Jared Maxwell was having trouble communicating with assistant referee Gavin Badger and other match officials for almost the entirety of the encounter, leading to confusion on a number of occasions, in particular a tackle by Carter on Thurston after he kicked the ball that in the running was given the all clear by Badger but was then overruled by Maxwell.

"I felt like everything was against us," said Titans co-captain Greg Bird.

"Both the refs were making different calls. You've got one ref standing next to me that said one thing and the other one said another thing; it's hard to know which one to listen to.

"We were in control of the game the same way we've been the last few games really, in control of games and then lapse for a few minutes and they scored a couple of times and made some breaks and the floodgates opened."

It was the second week in succession that Carter had let his emotions get the better of him as he sensed the game slipping through his team's fingers but five-eighth Brad Takairangi said he is the type of player you want by your side.

"He can go over the top a bit sometimes but I love playing with him," Takairangi told NRL.com. "He brings that aggression and fear factor with how he defends and he probably just needs to pick his times to do it better."

The Titans' cause wasn't helped by losing Brad Tighe in the first 10 minutes with a groin strain while David Mead was taken from the field late in the game as a precautionary measure for a tight hamstring.

Titanic Believer
03-08-14, 07:48 AM
Yeah he is defensively vey strong. Pulled off several try saving tackles tonight.

Yea. The only good I got out of this was Mortimers defence. he has been consistent and did the same last week. Pity Mead had a shocker. It will justify bringing Zillman back. ....well here's to next year. Hopefully with a new coach and a fresh look.

Jonathonbcode
03-08-14, 01:52 PM
Cartwright has to be gone by next year, it's becoming a running joke. Carty either gets the sack, finally or the Titans run themselves in to the ground..