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DIEHARD
24-08-14, 05:53 PM
NZ WARRIORS vs TITANS

Titan4Life
24-08-14, 06:26 PM
Both teams coming off big score line losses. I have to go against my heart for this one and say that the Warriors will win this as they are fighting for the finals. Expecting NZ by 12+ but hopefully by some slim chance the boys prove me wrong.

Hail Sezer
24-08-14, 07:31 PM
I'll be going up to this game. First Titans game I've attended. Wish we were travelling better but it's gonna be good seeing the team play anyway.

In saying that, I'm expecting Warriors to win by 13+

timor 2
26-08-14, 01:08 PM
Titans
1 William Zillman
2 Kalifa Faifai Loa
3 James Roberts
4 Brad Takairangi
5 Anthony Don
6 Aidan Sezer
7 Daniel Mortimer
8 Luke Bailey
9 Beau Falloon
10 Matthew White
11 Mark Minichiello
12 Paul Carter
13 Greg Bird

Interchange
14 Mark Ioane
15 Cody Nelson
16 Tom Kingston
17 Maurice Blair
19 David Mead


Coach: Neil Henry

TITAN PETE
27-08-14, 02:59 PM
Warriors v Titans preview
By Corey Rosser, NZ Correspondent
NRL.com
2:06pm Wed 27th August, 2014

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Warriors v Titans
Mount Smart Stadium
Sunday, 4pm (NZT)

When Andrew McFadden and Neil Henry sat down to name their sides for this Sunday’s clash at Mount Smart Stadium the urge to make wholesale changes must have been hard to deny.

The two coaches were blunt in their appraisal of their side’s performances last week following embarrassing defeats, but have made only minimal changes.

The Warriors come into it off the back of copping their biggest defeat of the season at home to a rampant Roosters side who scored eight tries in a 46-12 victory.

The Titans meanwhile were completely outclassed for all but the final 10 minutes of their game against the Dragons, slumping to their 14th defeat of the year in the way of a 34-6 loss.

The New Zealanders have only one unforced change for Round 25 with Feleti Mateo, a player once on the cusp of State of Origin selection, dropped to NSW Cup for the second time in 2014.

After suffering a dislocated shoulder inside the opening five minutes last week winger David Fusitu’a is out. That sees Ngani Laumape shift from centre to the right wing, with Dominique Peyroux named to start at centre against his former club.

The Gold Coast receive a boost with David Mead included on an extended bench, and the speedster is tipped to be a late inclusion in the centres for the trip to New Zealand.

Following back-to-back defeats the Warriors have slipped from top-four challenger to finals outsider, and must win on Sunday if they are any hope of playing past Round 26.

Prior to last weekend the Titans had impressed by pushing premiership contenders the Roosters and Sea Eagles in narrow defeats, but under new coach Neil Henry they have nothing but pride to play for over the final two weeks of the season.

Watch Out Warriors: When you miss 50 tackles in an NRL game you are never going to win. The Warriors did that last week against the Roosters and if they are to avoid a similar fate this Sunday they will probably need to halve their defensive error count.

The Titans have a backline which can do damage if you let them get on the front foot. Last week both wingers ran for well over 100 metres, and across the season every member of this week’s backline averages over 70 metres per game. If you allow the Titans space they can cause some hurt out wide, and the Warriors right-edge, which leaked three tries and a number of line breaks last week, is always a prime target.

Watch Out Titans: This year the Warriors don’t tend to back up a poor performance with another one, instead usually showing drastic improvement which results in them getting back in the winner’s circle. Only once this season have they lost by 19 points or more and followed it up with a loss in the next game, and they can expected to be fired up after last week’s embarrassment on home turf.

The away form of the Titans in 2014 has been far from reassuring, having won just twice outside of Skilled Park.
Auckland has never been a happy hunting ground for the Gold Coast either, and since their inception in 2007 they have won just two games at Mount Smart Stadium, the last of which was over four years ago.

Plays To Watch: Both Aidan Sezer and Shaun Johnson can grab a game by the scruff of the neck and take it in the direction they want. Ultra-confident players, watch for them to take the line on late in each half, and with the abysmal defence served up by both outfits last week expect these two lads to try their luck plenty with the ball in hand.

The sheer speed of the likes of James Roberts and William Zillman for the Titans, and Konrad Hurrell and Sam Tomkins for the Warriors, also means breaks early in the tackle count are never out of the question. They might not always be the high percentage options, but there are a number of players in both sides who love to take their marker on out wide with the hope of skipping through.

Where It Will Be Won: The opening 10 minutes is crucial. The Warriors have scored 80 points in the first 10 minutes of game this year, more than any other team in the NRL, while the Titans concede more than any other in that period. You can’t win a game in those opening exchanges, but you can certainly go a long way to losing one.

Both sides leaked points like they were going out of fashion last week, so the obvious focus will be on defence. We know they can score points, but the team who can limit the others’ offloads and second-phase plays will probably end up the winner.

The History: Played 15; Warriors 9, Titans 6. With seven-straight wins against this week’s opponents, the Warriors’ record against the Titans stands up as one of their best against any current NRL team. The Kiwis haven’t gone down to the Gold Coast since way back in 2010, but their meetings tend to be close encounters. The last four games have been decided by 18 points or fewer, with two of them split by two or fewer.

What Are The Odds: As bad as the Warriors have been going over the past few weeks, Sportsbet punters see them as specials at home, and launched into their opening price of $1.22. There’s also been strong support for over 45.5 points to be scored but it seems they think the Warriors will be scoring most of them. Latest Odds at Sportsbet.com.au.

Match Officials: Referee – Gavin Badger; Assistant Referee – Chris James; Touch Judges; Michael Wise and Anthony Eliott; Video Referees – Alan Shortall and Ben Galea.

The Way We See It: After what they dished up last week it is hard to endorse either side ahead of Sunday’s meeting. However the Warriors will run onto Mount Smart Stadium knowing that they are playing for their season, with a loss almost certainly spelling the end of their finals hopes. The Titans on the other hand already know they can’t make the top eight or drop into the wooden spoon zone in 2014 and have little to play for. The Kiwis will have felt the full wrath of coach McFadden this week and a significant improvement can be expected. Warriors by 10.

mup23
27-08-14, 04:08 PM
Roberts vs Peyroux is mouth watering

teke
27-08-14, 04:25 PM
Roberts vs Peyroux is mouth wateringFirst time I've heard anyone think Peyrouxs play will be entertaining

Nick
27-08-14, 04:53 PM
Peyroux shooting out and missing Roberts will be entertaining though.

C-Whiz
27-08-14, 04:55 PM
I'd take a 10 point game.

DIEHARD
27-08-14, 07:53 PM
I have very little confifence after Sunday's game. It was just a heartless effort and would have done little to encourage potential Sponsors.

I agree that it looks like we are already on holidays. But these remaining games are valuable as we lead into pre-season.

DIEHARD
28-08-14, 11:05 AM
The Gold Coast Titans will fight for their pride against the New Zealand Warriors

The Titans head to Auckland tomorrow to prepare to face the desperate Warriors on Sunday in a Round 25 match that has polar opposite outcomes for each team.

The New Zealand side is still in finals contention but must beat the Titans to keep that dream alive.

The Titans, who have lost 12 of their past 14 games, are counting down the days until their end-of-season holiday with the result of the match bearing no effect on their *season.

It was a similar case at Kogarah on Sunday when they were thumped 34-6 by the Dragons at WIN Jubilee Oval, a game St George *Illawarra had to win and Henry hopes his team will aim up against the inconsistent Warriors.

“They’re very disappointed with their energy and effort (against the Dragons),’’ he said.

“Manly (15-12 loss) was a tough game and took it out of us but the attitude still wasn’t there to compete. You could see that early in the game.

“We didn’t have the line speed and certainly didn’t have the mentality of holding on to the ball.

“We need to be better regardless of the troops we’ve got out. We need to turn up and have a crack.”

The Titans will train this morning with David Mead likely to run at left centre in place of Brad Takairangi.

Vice-captain William Zillman has found some form in the past fortnight after an injury-plagued season and said there was plenty to play for against the Warriors.

“Something we really want to do is finish the season well and that (Dragons loss) certainly wasn’t in our plans,” he said.

“We spoke about finishing the season well but it’s probably a lot easier said than done.’’

Titans co-captain Nate Myles had surgery on his injured shoulder on Tuesday and is expected to be on restricted duties for three months.

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

TITAN PETE
29-08-14, 04:01 AM
Off-contract Bailey latest Titans casualty
By Tony Webeck, Chief Queensland Correspondent
NRL.com
4:00pm Thu 28th August, 2014


Foundation Titan Luke Bailey remains unsure whether next week will be his 151st and final appearance for the club after being ruled out of Sunday's clash with the Warriors with a neck injury.

In the latest blow to forward stocks already reeling due to the absence of Nate Myles, Dave Taylor, Luke Douglas, Ashley Harrison, Ryan James and Ben Ridge, Bailey will be in a race against time to be fit for the Round 26 clash with the Bulldogs at Cbus Super Stadium, a game that will farewell fellow foundation player Mark Minichiello.

Electric centre James Roberts sent a further scare through the camp when he left training prematurely on Thursday morning suffering from back spasms but he will make the trip to New Zealand and is expected to play.

In a much-needed boost to the squad David Mead returns to the side from a hamstring injury and will take Brad Takairangi's place at left centre, handed the unenviable assignment of containing Warriors wrecking-ball Konrad Hurrell. Takairangi will move into the back row.

With a decision still to be made on the Titans' head coach for 2015 and beyond, after eight seasons at the Titans Bailey's future remains very much in limbo and will not be resolved until the appointment of John Cartwright's successor.

Interim coach Neil Henry was confident that Bailey's injury would recover in time to be available for next week but with the team to fly out for New Zealand on Friday said he couldn't be risked this week.

"It's responded already to treatment but to sit on a plane for a few hours and travel and play, it's not going to be right this weekend. We're very confident he'll be right for the Bulldogs game," Henry said.

"We're a bit of a bits-and-pieces team at the moment but there's no excuse once you get out there. Bails's neck's not right, he won't play and we really are a bit light on. I think we're down to 20 or 21 players in the squad that are available to play this weekend but there's no excuse for lack of effort or lack of intensity on the field."

The Titans have already had to ask for second-tier salary cap exemptions in order for Tom Kingston to take his place in the team while fellow back-rower Cody Nelson has agreed to a two-year deal with the Eels.

Despite the lack of senior players in the squad this weekend, Henry said it was up to individuals to display greater levels of intensity than that which they showed against the Dragons last Sunday.

"It's an individual responsibility to be up for a game of footy. It's not up to someone else to motivate you," Henry said.

"There is some leadership out there in the older players, 'Birdy' (Greg Bird) as captain and 'Mini'. Aidan Sezer's getting more experience as he's going on, he should take control there with Daniel Mortimer and 'Zilly' (William Zillman) at the back has played a lot of first grade.

"We've got enough guys out there that have played enough NRL to turn up and put on a good performance.

"They're coming off back-to-back losses and they need to win to stay in the finals hunt so we know they're going to be very determined for a win at home after last weekend's performance."

teke
30-08-14, 03:02 AM
Game Prediction ----> http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y253/teke/vwarriors11a.gif (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/teke/media/vwarriors11a.gif.html)

Hail Sezer
30-08-14, 08:33 AM
My mate went along to watch us train today. Apparently we are looking very sloppy and unenthusiastic. Dropping lots of ball...not looking sharp by any means.

Might be a long day tomorrow.

ozynorts
30-08-14, 11:38 AM
Warriors v Titans preview
By Corey Rosser, NZ Correspondent
NRL.com
2:06pm Wed 27th August, 2014
Plays To Watch: Both Aidan Sezer and Shaun Johnson can grab a game by the scruff of the neck and take it in the direction they want. Ultra-confident players, watch for them to take the line on late in each half, and with the abysmal defence served up by both outfits last week expect these two lads to try their luck plenty with the ball in hand.

The sheer speed of the likes of James Roberts and William Zillman for the Titans, and Konrad Hurrell and Sam Tomkins for the Warriors, also means breaks early in the tackle count are never out of the question.

I have yet to see Sezer take a game by the scruff of anything.
Zillman, sheer speed? Does this guy watch our games????

Toads
30-08-14, 02:59 PM
My mate went along to watch us train today. Apparently we are looking very sloppy and unenthusiastic. Dropping lots of ball...not looking sharp by any means.

Might be a long day tomorrow.

If the last few games are anything to go by. The Warriors Fans will probably feel ripped off even if they win..

DIEHARD
30-08-14, 04:10 PM
Manu Vatuvei: Beauty of the beast

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Manu Vatuvei should have been scared.

His heroes were bottom of the table, injury ravaged and punch-drunk after an embarrassingly meek surrender to Manly in their last game. The consensus was that a repeat would see the coach's head on a spike and the rest of the Warriors updating their CVs. It all made this away trip to the South Sydney Rabbitohs a particularly bad time to be making your debut.

The 18-year-old giant also knew he was in for some extra special attention - every newbie is tested for cracks - and if everything turned bad his blond Sideshow Bob afro, huge frame and gold-toothed grin would give him nowhere to hide.

With kick-off minutes away, the team folded into a huddle and promised to do everything they could to support their newest team mate: "They said they wanted it to be a day I'd never forget," recalls Vatuvei.

As much as he was trying to keep his emotions in check, there was no ignoring how much was at stake. Mum and dad were watching. "That's what made me nervous and scared."

Out on the field, he enjoyed a brief moment of anticipation before the reality of the game at this level struck home. He was out on his feet by the time the referee blew time. The Warriors had won 26-12 and the debutant celebrated by banging out the club's victory chant with legends like Stacey Jones.

It was by no means a fairy tale start. He'd been tryless while South Sydney scored twice down his wing, but he'd toughed it out before taking a high ball, spinning in the tackle and launching a play that ended 55m later in a Warriors try. He was happy, coach Daniel Anderson was happy, and more importantly, his parents were ecstatic.

If he wasn't yet "The Beast" he'd shown enough to earn re-selection.

That was all of 10 years ago. Now, with their final home game of 2014 tomorrow against the Titans and another tilt at the club's elusive first NRL title still a possibility, Vatuvei is as elemental to Warriors' fans as the chill wind that often sweeps over Mt Smart.

He's still only 28 - if his knees can hold together he's got plenty of tries left in him yet.

And if he has anything to do with it they'll all be scored for the Warriors, because if family is his motivation, loyalty and stability are Vatuvei's bedrock. It's a simple formula that has produced stellar results - he is one of the top 20 try-scorers in NRL's 106-year history, is one of only two NRL players to score 10 or more tries in nine consecutive seasons, was named the inaugural international winger of the year in 2008, and has been the Warriors top try-scorer for the past seven seasons.

What might be even more impressive is the stuff he hasn't done. For a sport often let down by the behaviour of its too-rich-too-young stars, Vatuvei has never put a foot wrong. You'll never see his name in a story about late night shenanigans and his first judicial penalty for an onfield indiscretion was as recent as June, a month after the NRL's Women in League gave him their annual Favourite Son Award which "acknowledges a player who acts as a role model for mothers and families; someone who continues to impress us on the field, however their off-field characteristics embody what it is we love about rugby league".

The recipient is a player whose "integrity and reputation make the game more appealing to women; someone who encourages mothers to involve their families in rugby league".

Vatuvei fits the bill; his club have even nominated him for the Ken Stephen Medal which recognises the NRL player who has made the most outstanding contribution to his community.


New Zealand Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei at Mount Smart Stadium. Photo / Jason Oxenham

As a kid growing up in Otara, athletics was Vatuvei's first sport. Sprinting, long jump and the odd field event - he shone at them all, until his family's influence saw him become "a hard-out rugby fan." Which isn't surprising, family is easily the biggest part of his life and he is adamant he owes everything to the work and sacrifice of his parents. Woe betide any opponent who dares use them in an onfield sledge.

His father, Siosifa Vatuvei, emigrated from Tonga in the early 70s and worked to buy a home and then fly his wife and three children over. Manu, the fourth of five kids, was born here in 1986.

He says their upbringing was average for the area, meaning his parents were strict, everyone did their bit to help, and with his father a minister in the Free Church of Tonga, every Sunday saw them trooping off to whatever hall the congregation could find. "Back then," he says, "church was just something I went to for the sake of it, a day-to-day thing for myself. I wasn't really connected to it." That's long since changed, as can be seen in his try celebrations, and like his father, he now takes his own family to the Life South Church in Mangere. His father also demanded nothing but Tongan be spoken at home to preserve their island connection.

Vatuvei's first code swap came at nine after a friend convinced him to drop rugby and join the Otara Scorpions league club. Vatuvei was already taller than most other boys, and his parents began taking his birth certificate along to pre-empt the usual age queries. By the time he was 12 he'd moved to the Otahuhu Leopards and was going to his first games at Mt Smart. "I loved it, the crowd and all that, the noise, and seeing the guys playing, they were my heroes. The thought that I'd end up there myself? Nah."

At 14, he was selected for a zonal representative side and caught the eye of 25-test Kiwi representative and Warriors coach-to-be Tony Kemp.

"Well, you couldn't miss him, he towered over the other kids, but the thing I remember most are his tries. He'd run 100m, put the ball down, then you'd think he'd broken his leg by the way he carried on. He'd limp back to halfway, then go the bench and sit down for a bit. Then he'd come back on and score another 100m try. I think he just needed a bit of a rest."

All the same, Vatuvei was considering a return to rugby when the deputy principal at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate got wind of it and talked him into playing for his team. A few months later he was bursting into his father's work place to share some joyful tears over an invitation to join the Warriors' development squad. Now he was facing players bigger
and more confident than he was. "It felt really scary . . . there was no under-20 or junior team so you could warm up to it, these were guys way older than me, in their 20s, who were playing (top level club competition) Bartercard Cup. It was tough, much tougher than I expected, but it was great for me. They were really warm to me, the usual for the Warriors. I felt really grateful, but I had to earn my stripes."

Vatuvei's dad would drive him to every training, often with both of his brothers in tow, and the family would hit the gym while he went off with the team.

"They'd all be there with his dad on the bike in his jeans and jandals," says Kemp. "He was funny, pretty fresh, and not a word of English. It was typically Polynesian, a beautiful family environment, and it made Manu the man he is today, a real gentleman."

Vatuvei was going on 17 when he was offered his first contract. "That first cheque, it wasn't much but I was really happy." Maybe it was the extra confidence of having a bit of cash, but it was around then that Vatuvei finally asked out Jennifer Ka, the girl he'd been admiring from afar for about five years. They've now been together for 11 years, have three girls, and married in 2010.

This was a time for growth, partying and pushing boundaries, good times he says he got away with because he was still "a nobody; no-one knew who I was. I could just enjoy myself".

His first appearance in the Warriors strip came in 2003 when he was selected for a pre-season warm up game against St George in Hamilton. Then in September he was selected for the Junior Kiwis to play against an Australian schoolboys side featuring Benji Marshall. Each step saw his training regime ratchet up a notch and he admits there were times it got so hard he considered dropping out. Again his father stepped in and started driving him to training earlier so he could put in some extra cardio work on the bike - a team effort that paid off when an injury created the ideal hole for a 1.89m, 110kg teenager to fill against the Rabbitohs on May 23, 2004.

Despite making only a handful of appearances that season, it was an offhand comment from Kemp that earned Vatuvei his now famous nickname "The Beast". Kemp mentioned to Herald reporter Peter Jessup how much Vatuvei reminded him of Kiwi legend Kevin "The Beast" Iro and the comparison became a headline that became a nickname that stuck.

Aside from his obvious bulk, Vatuvei was also the fastest in the Warriors squad and had Iro's mighty fend, but "unfortunately," Kemp told Jessup, "he has his hands as well".

Vatuvei wasn't shy about his goals - he's big on goals - he wanted to be better than Jonah Lomu, play as many games for the Warriors as possible and "score some tries on TV". By 2005 he'd made enough progress to be called into the New Zealand tri-nations side to face England and Australia. Did anyone scare him? "They all did, the (State of) Origin heroes, the club heroes, the guys in our team, I was intimidated by everyone. You just have to deal with it, trust in your skills and remember who you're playing for."

Vatuvei went on to score two tries in the Kiwis' unprecedented 24-0 win over Australia in the final. He has a film of the match, but has never watched it through - he just likes the end when he can see himself celebrating.

In 2006 he missed the birth of his first daughter, Makayla, as he was playing in Wellington. That didn't sit well at all; he revels in his role as provider and protector. He even told his partner to put her career as a personal trainer on pause to focus on family life, and later rejected her suggestion of a water birth for their second girl, Savannah.

Unfortunately he has never had similar control over his image as a player. No matter how many tries he scores, there are some who see his handling lapses as a liability and those voices grew rabid when Vatuvei cost the Warriors a game against Parramatta in 2007. On reflection, he sees that he had become complacent and forgone the extra training sessions that had worked for him in the past. But the scale and persistence of the criticism was humiliating and after a week on the bench it was an angry Beast who retook the field. His comeback became a powerful - if often forgotten - statement; his tries got the team into the finals and in their return match against the Eels he scored the first hat-trick of his NRL career.

The critics then roared back following a 2011 qualifying finals loss featuring a succession of Vatuvei fumbles - until it became known that he'd spent the preceding night in hospital watching over two very sick daughters. He will always put his family first, as he did in 2010 when a contract extension made the then 24-year-old the highest paid player on the club's roster. The first thing he did was buy his mum a new home in old Papatoetoe: "That was one of the goals I gave myself at the start and it's something I'm really proud of, but it's still not as much of a sacrifice as they've done for me."

Family is a highly charged concept for the big winger and it's not for show that he carries the family name along with those of his wife and children (now including 1-year-old Eva) on the strapping on his left wrist; he wears them as tattoos as well. He used to write "Brother" on the strapping for his other arm, in reference to his teammates, but since talking with his pastor he has this year changed it to Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

It's a line that not only applies to footy and family - he's getting increasingly involved in community work and is putting his free time into promoting Kidz First and the home insulation campaign. The Vatuveis still live in the area he grew up in and he's aware how few people there share the lifestyle and income that league has given him.

But he also knows his playing salary won't be there forever - he might be 28 but his body feels much older - and he makes no secret of his desire to eventually join the police like other Warriors, such as Tone Tatupu, before him. Vatuvei sees it as another way of giving back but it's also a dream stemming from a childhood love of superheroes and superpowers. It was either the police, the army or the SAS, and it only took one SAS training session to show him the folly of that idea.

With an additional two-year extension to his Warriors contract it appears this one-woman man will also be a one-club player with a career mirroring his team's rollercoaster highs and lows, including the loss of his close friend and fellow player Sonny Fa'i in 2009. He says there were times when he could easily have walked away, but for the club's hardcore supporters. "I don't think they know how grateful I've been for their support. It matters and it tells me who the actual fans are; they're not the ones you only hear from when you've had a good game and everything's going well, they're the ones who hold me up when it gets bad. And I'd say to them, you don't understand how much that means to me and how much it motivates me to keep going."

With two more games to go for the Warriors to have a chance at their first NRL title, let's hope the roar of the fans is loud and long.

DIEHARD
30-08-14, 04:11 PM
NRL: Soul-searching gives Warriors focus

Veteran Warriors five-eighth Thomas Leuluai believes a week of soul searching has scotched any complacency before tomorrow's crucial match against the Gold Coast Titans.

Leuluai said a poor attitude and lack of commitment, rather than any flawed tactics or game plan, were key factors in last Sunday's thrashing by the Sydney Roosters.

Correcting those areas would go a long way to ensuring they produce an improved performance to help keep their finals hopes alive.

"It's been pretty hard this week, we've been doing a lot of video on ourselves and a lot of soul searching and looking at ourselves with a little bit of honesty and it's been a tough week," explained Leuluai.

"It is attitude more than any specific area. When you get dominated like that everything looks bad but it all starts with just being physically dominated by the other pack and out-enthused in different areas. We're not looking in too deep, we've obviously got to be thorough with it but there are some areas of the game we just weren't good enough in.

"Our contact and defence, especially in that second-half, was pretty much non-existent. Around those points a lot of things look really bad but on the flip side if you fix that you can fix a few things all in one."

While it was easy to blame poor mental application for one poor game, Leuluai was unable to explain the team's gradual decline over the preceding three matches against the Sharks, Raiders and Knights.

"That's something that a lot of people at the club are scratching their head at. Teams go through it and have slumps but us, we sort of fell off there and I think if we knew the answer I don't think we'd be in this situation, so it's something we just have to keep working on."

The 29-year-old was critical of his own performance and refused to accept his recent positional shifts had affected his ability to re-establish a firm combination with halfback Shaun Johnson. Since returning from a groin injury off the bench in their round 19 clash against the Broncos, circumstances dictated that he fill the No 7 jersey in three matches against Manly, Canberra and Cronulla, before moving into hooking role against Newcastle and standoff against the Roosters.

"It wasn't the best game on the weekend for myself but in saying that it was a tough day really, I suppose for any half, when your forward pack's getting dominated like that. I'm not looking at it too greatly but there are areas in my game where I know I need to improve."

Aside from the must-win scenario they now find themselves in, tomorrow's contest carries extra weight for the Warriors, with the club hosting its annual Old Boys' Day. Leuluai says it is essential the side produce an effort befitting such a special occasion and one their predecessors can be proud of. "Hopefully we can put in a good performance for them."

Putting away the Titans will be no easy task but Leuluai insists the Warriors need only worry about meeting their own expectations.

"They've got nothing to lose and can be pretty unpredictable so for us we've got a pretty narrow focus and just have to apply ourselves well."

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport

DIEHARD
30-08-14, 04:12 PM
Lillyman points to pack for struggling side's form slump

Prop Jacob Lillyman admits the Warriors' forwards have to take responsibility for the side's form drop.

The Queensland State of Origin front-rower says the pack need to lift their individual and collective efforts when they come up against the Gold Coast Titans tomorrow.

The 30-year-old has been one of the side's most consistent performers this season and was one of the few players who could be content with what he produced in last week's outing against the Roosters. In 48 minutes Lillyman contributed 19 runs for 145 metres and made 20 tackles to lead the way for his underwhelming teammates.

"I think we've been pretty good most of the year but a couple of weeks there where we weren't at our best so we'll just have to try and aim up and try and get the job done this week. They're always tough, the Titans. They always turn up and it's always a real physical battle and we've just got to be ready for that."

Coach Andrew McFadden agreed his forwards had struggled to match the Roosters' big men and said that had a flow-on effect of stifling the side's playmakers Shaun Johnson and Thomas Leuluai.

"Your halves don't have much of an opportunity unless you really win that battle in the middle so I'm definitely going to challenge our forwards this weekend," McFadden said.

Lillyman admitted it had been hard to see the team's fortunes change in a matter of weeks.

"It's been very frustrating. But we're not out of it yet and we've just got to maintain that positive frame of mind and try and just focus on winning this game."

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/

DIEHARD
30-08-14, 04:13 PM
Titans Kiwi front-rower growing as a professional

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Mark Ioane returns to the scene of his NRL debut on Sunday with a greater appreciation of the demands placed on a professional footballer.

A member of the Warriors inaugural under-20s' Toyota Cup-winning squad in 2010, Ioane started his first grade career at Mt Smart on the Gold Coast Titans' previous visit to Auckland in April last year, and since then his appearances have been frustratingly infrequent.

He played seven games in his maiden season and has only managed a marginal improvement in 2014 as the relatively under-sized front rower has to bide his time behind an experienced propping rotation featuring former and current Kangaroos internationals Luke Bailey and Nate Myles.

Luke Douglas and Matt White also boast 351 NRL games between them, leaving the Auckland-born 23-year-old as a stop gap measure.

He fulfils that role against the Warriors due to Myles's season-ending shoulder injury and former Cronulla Shark Douglas sitting out the remainder of the Titans disappointing campaign due to a suspension imposed by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority.

His responsibility then increased yesterday when 269-game veteran Bailey was unable to travel due to a neck injury.

Ioane had to wait until White was suspended to step up from Queensland Cup duty with the Burleigh Bears in round eight, he faced the Warriors during the visitors' 24-16 win at Cbus Stadium in May but then endured a five-round block in reserve grade before embarking on his most productive spell on the interchange bench.

''The other guys are more experienced than me I guess,'' Ioane told Fairfax Media when quizzed ahead of his 10th appearance of the season.

''I wish I'd played a lot more first grade this year but I knew coming to the club I'd be faced with a lot of experienced rep footy players.''

Ioane confronted the same scenario when he joined the Canberra Raiders in 2011, where first grade was never a realistic option for the former Junior Kiwi while David Shillington, Brett White, Dane Tilse and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs stayed fit.

Titans foundation coach John Cartwright, who was stripped of that role earlier this month, offered Ioane an opportunity and although he has still struggled to establish himself in a struggling pack, training alongside Origin and test players has been beneficial.

''I've got a lot of feedback from most of those boys, they've been helping out my game and that should make me a better player.

''I see the one per centers they do on the field and the extras off it.

''Guys come in and do an extra session so I've built that into my training schedule. I've learnt a lot since my first year and the pre-season with the boys.''

''I'm still developing as a NRL player but I'm getting used to it.''

Ioane has a year remaining on his three-season deal and with Bailey expected to retire after the final round clash with the Bulldogs he can anticipate more game time in 2015 should he continue to mature.

''He's been a massive influence on my game,'' said Ioane, putting the 34-year-old on the same pedestal as Ruben Wiki when he was at the Warriors.

''When you're a young bloke coming into the NRL you don't really know the expectations of being a professional footy player.

''That was the biggest wake up call for me, just knowing there's a lot more to footy than just playing the game."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/

DIEHARD
30-08-14, 04:36 PM
NZ Warriors

1. Sam Tomkins 2. Ngani Laumape 3. Konrad Hurrell 4. Dominique Peyroux 5. Manu Vatuvei
6. Thomas Leuluai 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Jacob Lillyman 9. Nathan Friend 10. Ben Matulino 11. Ben Henry 12. Simon Mannering 13. Sione Lousi

14. Sam Rapira 15. Suaia Matagi 16. Sebastine Ikahihifo 17. Jayson Bukuya 18. John Palavi

DIEHARD
30-08-14, 11:45 PM
Greg Bird says his lack of leadership has let his Titans teammates down

603

GOLD Coast captain Greg Bird has put the blowtorch to his own leadership to lift the Titans out of their horrific form slump and salvage some pride this year.

With more than 1200 NRL games worth of experience retired, suspended or injured from the Titans roster, Bird (pictured) is the man who must ignite something in a squad that is limping towards the finish line.

But the NSW and Test veteran says his leadership has been missing at crucial times in recent weeks and Bird is determined not to end the year without turning everything around for the club, starting against the Warriors.

“(Leadership) is probably something that I don’t think I’ve been great at the last couple of weeks,” Bird said.

“You always want to be leading your team to victories, that is what it comes down to. Attitude was definitely not there (against the Dragons) and attitude reflects leadership.

“I think we could have done more to try to get the guys up if they weren’t up, or recognise the deficiency earlier on to try to make sure that we didn’t play the way we did.

“But it’s been and gone now and you can only make amends on the football field. We are judged on how we play football.

“Under duress, we’ve been in some situations and probably lacked a bit of leadership from all of us. But we’ve got a great opportunity now no one expects anything from us.

“We’re a depleted team, we have players out of position and we’re going over there with no pressure. Hopefully we can come home with a performance, win or lose, we can be proud of.”

The Titans have lost 12 of their past 14 games to drop from third on the ladder to 13th, and could yet plummet to 15th if results keep going against them.

In attack they have failed to score a point in the 20 minutes after half-time in their last four outings, and they rank 15th in the NRL for points scored — only above dead-last Cronulla.

Interim coach Neil Henry, who is likely to get the full-time job next season, is expected to make several changes to a roster that has missed the finals for four straight years.

Despite all the on and off-field drama that has hit the club in the past few weeks, Bird insists the players would run out at Mt Smart Stadium with a strong will to win and end their season on a high.

“You have always got your self-respect,” Bird said.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a grand final, State of Origin or a game of cards, you always want to win and never want to lose.

“It’s an opportunity to play first-grade rugby league. You need to take it with both hands and play it as if it’s your last game.”

Hail Sezer
31-08-14, 06:19 AM
Wet day here in Auckland

TITAN PETE
31-08-14, 06:32 AM
Wet day here in Auckland

Should be plenty of points scored today but maybe not too many for the Titans , u will get to see one of the Schwass boys , the one that tackles :eyebrows:

Mt Smart
31-08-14, 06:45 AM
Wet day here in Auckland

Cold and windy too hey....it was a bit stormy last night, the park will be a miserable spot.....the stands were likely to be empty today were it not for results falling the Warriors way.

They have a chance of making the finals if they win today and against the Panthers.

That is the exact same scenario as they were facing this time last year. The Warriors folded to the Sharks at home in 2013 and then went on to lose the following week also.

Good luck for the Game today Titans fans.

Warriors fans are very nervous about this one. The Titans ripped us apart for half a game the last time we played and there were lots of key players out against a full strength Warriors team.

A lot of fans from the lower top eight contenders will be watching this one on the telly Cheering the Titans on.

An under strength Sharks side with only two fit players on their bench by half time nearly toppled the Warriors at Mt Smart only a few rounds ago.

Hail Sezer
31-08-14, 06:47 AM
Should be plenty of points scored today but maybe not too many for the Titans , u will get to see one of the Schwass boys , the one that tackles :eyebrows:

Haha ill catch up with jayden after the game, gutted that dan is playing too well in cup to come over too

TITAN PETE
31-08-14, 10:20 AM
Sezer's pain at 'sliding doors' season
By Tony Webeck, Chief Queensland Correspondent
NRL.com
7:30am Sun 31st August, 2014


What if Aidan Sezer hadn't got injured?

What if instead of hanging his arm out in an attempted tackle on Brisbane's Ben Hunt in the 30th minute of their Round 10 clash and having his right pectoral muscle torn from his chest, Sezer made that tackle and finished the game?

In 12 rounds without their chief playmaker the Gold Coast Titans nose-dived from seventh on the ladder to 13th and now, for the second week in succession, face a team in the Warriors who are desperately clinging to the spot in the top eight that earlier in the season Titans fans thought would be theirs.

The Titans are one of nine teams in the 2014 Telstra Premiership to have compiled a run of success of six wins over an eight-week period but since the loss of Sezer in Round 10 they have capitulated to compile a dismal two wins from 12 games and face the prospect of finishing above perhaps only two teams if results in the final fortnight don't go their way.

Such is his influence on the Titans' fortunes Sezer has still kicked on more occasions than any other Titan this season and his goal-kicking percentage of 92 per cent has frittered away to just 68 per cent in his absence. For a team that has lost three games by six points or less during that period, it can be the difference between finals footy and Mai Tais in Bali.

But did it have to be this way? If not for one incongruous moment would the Titans be eyeing off a first finals appearance in four years? Would their trip to Auckland this week have had far-reaching ramifications for both teams' top eight chances? Would John Cartwright still have a job?

They're the impossible questions that will neither be answered nor remembered but for a bloke who had to watch a season slip away over the course of three months completely helplessly, they will linger until the first pre-season session of 2015.

"Looking back on it now, it was pretty mentally fatiguing," says Sezer after a wind-blown training session that should hold the Titans in good stead for what awaits them at Mt Smart on Sunday. "Sitting on the sideline for 12 weeks and obviously seeing our position on the ladder dwindle week by week was disappointing but it's good to be back out on the field now. Even though we're not getting the results it's just good to be back playing footy.

"You obviously do [think you could have made a difference] but the boys that were there were doing a good job and it was just unfortunate that we couldn't get the results and I think coming back into the team you can just see the hurt in the boys' faces.

"We had a very positive start to the season, we won six of our first eight I think, and we were going good. There were no injuries and then it sort of hit us all at once. A few boys went down and the boys that were there were hurting immensely just seeing the position on the ladder go down and I just think the pain of missing the finals again is something that's going to drive us.

"With the boys leaving too, it's disappointing for them. Obviously we've got club legends like Mini, Bails and Harro and it's just disappointing not to see them out on a good note playing finals footy because we think that's where this squad should be.

"With all hands on deck we've got the potential to beat any team and I guess that first eight weeks of the season put that into context."

Since making his return in Round 22 Sezer has been a part of Titans teams that have suffered losses to the Roosters, Sea Eagles and Dragons as he endeavours to form a new combination with mid-season signing Daniel Mortimer.

It's a combination with more structure than that with the flamboyant Albert Kelly that worked so well earlier in the season but Sezer insists the change in halfback has not had an influence on his style of play.

"They're obviously different players. 'Mortsy' is a more organisational style of player where Alby is more off the cuff. They bring two different aspects to the team but I enjoy playing with both of them," Sezer said.

"It's only my third game back so me and Mortsy, that combination is still pretty fresh and over the next two games we've got to just try and improve and finish the season on a high. With the season we've had we want to go out on a positive."

Titan4Life
31-08-14, 12:35 PM
@GCTitans: LATE MAIL: Steve Michaels surprise inclusion for Titans, replaces Maurice Blair on the bench. Taka to 2nd row, Mead to centre.

K2G
31-08-14, 12:43 PM
Stevie Michaels as an interchange forward off the bench!! how do you like that for playing players out of position!

TitansFan92
31-08-14, 12:51 PM
If we lose today I think we should not have Henry as a coach. Yes it has only been a couple of games but if his team selections are anything to go by nothing is changing.

Titan4Life
31-08-14, 01:02 PM
He has got limited players to choose from so not he should not be sacked if we lose. 10 of our best players out would not help team selections. This years games should not decide Henry's future.

ozynorts
31-08-14, 01:04 PM
Only 10 players out, last time I looked Penrith had 11 and they are top 4. Who ever gets the top job had better have a bloody good plan for the development of the fringe and junior players to cover for injuries.

Titan4Life
31-08-14, 01:06 PM
Only 10 players out, last time I looked Penrith had 11 and they are top 4. Who ever gets the top job had better have a bloody good plan for the development of the fringe and junior players to cover for injuries.

Yeah I agree but do you expect Henry to do this when he is two weeks into the head coach role. This year should not decide Henry's fate.

ozynorts
31-08-14, 01:07 PM
nope I agree but we can't keep using the injuries as an excuse.

Titan4Life
31-08-14, 01:08 PM
Zilly drops first bomb. Big kick but should have been taken

K2G
31-08-14, 01:09 PM
What's the deal with the throwback jersy's today?
Hope Taka has a good from the second row and stays put there going forward.

Zilly dropping first bomb inside the first three minutes. net set, try Warriors.

rj62
31-08-14, 01:09 PM
Zilly drops first bomb. Big kick but should have been taken

shocked......not now a try..........again not shocked

Titan4Life
31-08-14, 01:09 PM
Warriors score through Henry off a good wrap around play.
4-0 Warriors KTC | 3 mins

lonegull
31-08-14, 01:09 PM
Zillman has started great for the warriors their best so far dropped the bomb then thought it was touch football to allow warriors to score

teke
31-08-14, 01:10 PM
Sezer going to do his shoulder again if he keeps jumper grabbing

Titan4Life
31-08-14, 01:13 PM
Johnson coverts from nearly in front.
6-0 Warriors | 5 mins

- - - Updated - - -

Zilololol knocks it on again.

lonegull
31-08-14, 01:13 PM
Another great play for the warriors by zillman knock on 1 metre out

rj62
31-08-14, 01:14 PM
Zillman.....ffs

- - - Updated - - -

Gonna be a loooong afternoon..in again

lonegull
31-08-14, 01:15 PM
Zillman sets up that try for the warriors having a great game for them so far although he is wearing titans colours

Titan4Life
31-08-14, 01:16 PM
Warriors score again through Peyroux. He ran through a gap to dive over and score. Pressure on us off back of Zilly knock ons. Johnson converts.
12-0 Warriors | 10 mins

- - - Updated - - -

Has Zilly signed a 5 year deal with Warriors starting today?? Seems like it.

rj62
31-08-14, 01:17 PM
12 points in 10 and a half minutes........

- - - Updated - - -

Surely he must be gone at the end of this year...

gotitans101_
31-08-14, 01:21 PM
Once again it's our backs trying to do all the work since our forwards are useless.

Titan4Life
31-08-14, 01:23 PM
They are absolutely killing us in both defence and attack.

- - - Updated - - -


Once again it's our backs trying to do all the work since our forwards are useless.

I don't think I have seen any forward for us run it yet... it's embarrassing

gotitans101_
31-08-14, 01:23 PM
Why is it that when our forwards run they look slow and lethargic? Why can't they run straight and hard like other packs do?

If you think our halves are the only issue in our team then you're kidding yourself.

hammer
31-08-14, 01:24 PM
This will be a cricket score folks!

Titan4Life
31-08-14, 01:25 PM
Friend scores for Warriors after Mini fell over. Johnson converts.
18-0 Warriors | 18 mins

It's gonna be a long day... bring on 2015

teke
31-08-14, 01:26 PM
Mini scramble crawling on the ground trying to stop try lolol.

This game is going to be gif heaven !!

lonegull
31-08-14, 01:27 PM
Talk about our forwards getting owned why is Nelson starting and Ioane on the bench this today could change my views on Henry and while on the game why is zillman taking the restarts he so far hasn't put a kick anywhere near the goal line his kicks only go 20 metres silly tactic

rj62
31-08-14, 01:27 PM
You've actually got to wonder of Henry actually wants the gig. Unless he can get some wholesale changes, I can't see anything changing.

If it stays the same next year, they will be lucky to survive.

gotitans101_
31-08-14, 01:28 PM
It is going to take some special signings to get us out of this rut. I don't think any coach could take this team to the finals.

DIEHARD
31-08-14, 01:30 PM
OK just tuned in. I always screwed up my times especially when its a NZ game.

Scorelines doesnt look promising. 18-0 20mins in?!

DIEHARD
31-08-14, 01:30 PM
At least we look classy in our "Heritage" jerseys.

DIEHARD
31-08-14, 01:31 PM
Mini scramble crawling on the ground trying to stop try lolol.

This game is going to be gif heaven !!

You are the Gif Master and it is a wonderful thing.

mdrew
31-08-14, 01:32 PM
Some of these players should be absolutely embarrassed, they are getting paid very very good money to be professionals.

Boonarga
31-08-14, 01:33 PM
Mead is playing and Zillman is still at fullback?
#sackHenry

rj62
31-08-14, 01:35 PM
OK just tuned in. I always screwed up my times especially when its a NZ game.

Scorelines doesnt look promising. 18-0 20mins in?!

Sadly........and embarrasingly

DIEHARD
31-08-14, 01:35 PM
I haven't seen a team this uninspired and fightless since the 90s.

I mean, bloody hell, you are playing NRL, at least play with some electricity.

What we are looking at is the cumulation of bad recruitment and reattainment and poor junior pathways. Of course not spending our entire salary cap. I agree, Henry is really up against it, this goes well beyond coaching. He needs authority for wholesale changes.

DIEHARD
31-08-14, 01:36 PM
I'm taking the credit for the Titans throwing the ball around since I've arrived.

lonegull
31-08-14, 01:36 PM
Gee these NZ commentators are biased absolute joke with some of their comments you would think warriors are minor premieres, I have know gone to the mute button to save any further comments

hammer
31-08-14, 01:36 PM
This game highlights we are too small, too slow and lacking in smarts...as compared to the Warriors.

DIEHARD
31-08-14, 01:37 PM
Only 10 players out, last time I looked Penrith had 11 and they are top 4. Who ever gets the top job had better have a bloody good plan for the development of the fringe and junior players to cover for injuries.

Very true ozynorts.

I wonder how our mate HS is going at his first Titans game? I hope they put up some fight for him to enjoy.

DIEHARD
31-08-14, 01:38 PM
Gee these NZ commentators are biased absolute joke with some of their comments you would think warriors are minor premieres, I have know gone to the mute button to save any further comments

Yea arent they. Might be good for the sell of the Warriors but embarrassing when broadcast across the Tasman.

rj62
31-08-14, 01:39 PM
I haven't seen a team this uninspired and fightless since the 90s.

I mean, bloody hell, you are playing NRL, at least play with some electricity.

What we are looking at is the cumulation of bad recruitment and reattainment and poor junior pathways. Of course not spending our entire salary cap. I agree, Henry is really up against it, this goes well beyond coaching. He needs authority for wholesale changes.

agreed, agreed, agreed and agreed

I'd be making it a part of my contract that he has authority for changes. If not - who would want it?

Julius Sezer
31-08-14, 01:39 PM
sure we are crap and getting smashed, but im loving the offload and little plays we are coming up with.

Titan4Life
31-08-14, 01:40 PM
This is bull****... play with some ****ing enthusiasm and heart you lazy muppets. This is bloody embarrassing...

gotitans101_
31-08-14, 01:41 PM
Let's look at the upside to this. If they put 50 on us they knock the Donkeys out of the 8. :D

Titan4Life
31-08-14, 01:46 PM
Warriors score after Tomkins takes advantage of an overlap. Johnson converts.
24-0 Warriors | 35 mins

- - - Updated - - -

Hurrell barges over and extends the Warriors lead. Johnson converts. This is ****ing ridiculous.
30-0 Warriors | 39 mins

rj62
31-08-14, 01:46 PM
That's it for me. I have much more preferable things to do with my time than to endure this s**t.

I'm gonna go shove forks in both my eyes


How freaking embarrassing......

lonegull
31-08-14, 01:46 PM
Have a look at zillman defence position when hurrell scores deadset I know I have been critical today if his performance but this is getting beyond a joke with him at fullback

teke
31-08-14, 01:47 PM
The positive is Hail Sezer is witnessing his first titans match which will end up as the titans record loss

Lololol

hammer
31-08-14, 01:47 PM
Can I say I miss Friend...he always played with such heart and passion...heck we need that in bucket loads!!!

Titan4Life
31-08-14, 01:48 PM
Who is going to be our fullback next year. Zillman is a deadset joke but some of Meadys defensive efforts have been bad too. Then again he is up against Hurrell and Laumape.

lonegull
31-08-14, 01:50 PM
Why didn't we take the two only chance we got at gettin points

Titan4Life
31-08-14, 01:50 PM
Can I say I miss Friend...he always played with such heart and passion...heck we need that in bucket loads!!!

I miss Friend too, he works hard and you can see he always give 110% every week. Like you said he plays with passion, which no one in our current line up does.

Mexican titan
31-08-14, 01:51 PM
Gee these NZ commentators are biased absolute joke with some of their comments you would think warriors are minor premieres, I have know gone to the mute button to save any further comments

If you reckon the tv blokes are biased you should hear the blokes on the radio. They are worse.

There are blokes on the field copping 3-4-5 hundred grand. They should be ashamed to collect. If any of us put this effort in at work we wouldn't last long - now there's a thought.
Off to listen to the manly game. If that doesn't go well I might just jump in at the seaway and get swept away!

Titan4Life
31-08-14, 01:53 PM
HALF TIME: 30-0 Warriors

Lazy, no heart, unenthusiastic, pathetic - all the words that come to mind.

ozynorts
31-08-14, 01:54 PM
Anyone got a pair of pliers? Pulling my own teeth will be less painful I'm sure...

Mexican titan
31-08-14, 01:55 PM
Who is going to be our fullback next year. Zillman is a deadset joke but some of Meadys defensive efforts have been just as bad. But I do suppose that he is up against Hurrell and Laumape.

Doesn't matter who you are up against but I guess his efforts are just reflective of the lack of spirit across the entire team. I support Henry getting the job but I would have hoped a few blokes might have wanted to impress him. It worries me that he hasn't been able to get more spirit into the team - the game against Manly looked better but Manly were crap that day and we still couldn't win.

teke
31-08-14, 01:55 PM
If you reckon the tv blokes are biased you should hear the blokes on the radio. They are worse.

There are blokes on the field copping 3-4-5 hundred grand. They should be ashamed to collect. If any of us put this effort in at work we wouldn't last long - now there's a thought.
Off to listen to the manly game. If that doesn't go well I might just jump in at the seaway and get swept away!Noway are they not putting in effort.

They are purely outgunned and too small.

mdrew
31-08-14, 01:55 PM
It is disappointing to see so little effort, these blokes are privilaged to be professional footballers, thousands and thousands of young kids grow up dreaming to be professional sports people, and the lucky few that live that dream, treat the ones who were not as lucky as a joke. This is as low as I have seen a football club. Wonder what Cartwright is thinking right now.

DIEHARD
31-08-14, 01:56 PM
Let's look at the upside to this. If they put 50 on us they knock the Donkeys out of the 8. :D

Hahaha now that is lateral thinking!

DIEHARD
31-08-14, 01:57 PM
Can I say I miss Friend...he always played with such heart and passion...heck we need that in bucket loads!!!

We never should have lost him, losing him felt like the end of the good times. He was all heart and always tried. Was the anchor of our defence and these qualities spread through the team.

I'm pleased to see him continue to go well, even if it is for a rival team.

Mexican titan
31-08-14, 01:58 PM
Noway are they not putting in effort.

They are purely outgunned and too small.

I will have to disagree there mate. The effort is lifeless and badly lacking any heart.

hammer
31-08-14, 01:59 PM
What we are experiencing now...is a reflection of what hasn't been invested in the past 4-5 years with our junior development...the number of players that are or are becoming established first grade players else where is astounding...the scary part is it could get much worse before we improve.

teke
31-08-14, 02:01 PM
I will have to disagree there mate. The effort is lifeless and badly lacking any heart.i disagree, we all knew beforehand they were going to get whooped, but once the whoopin came they are not trying?

I see effort, I also see a mismatch

hammer
31-08-14, 02:15 PM
What we are experiencing now...is a reflection of what hasn't been invested in the past 4-5 years with our junior development...the number of players that are or are becoming established first grade players else where is astounding...the scary part is it could get much worse before we improve.

This is why Penrith can have so many players out and still keep performing and why the Titans can have players out and it becomes a cricket score...and this will be a cricket score!

Delicious David
31-08-14, 02:19 PM
Game Prediction ----> http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y253/teke/vwarriors11a.gif (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/teke/media/vwarriors11a.gif.html)
fail!!!!:laugh:

Geeman
31-08-14, 02:19 PM
This is so bad it's almost comical, glad I didn't go up to this one

K2G
31-08-14, 02:21 PM
Taka on for Roberts? let's hope JR isn't injured...

Titan68
31-08-14, 02:22 PM
This is a JOKE. Yeah we have injuries but so do the Knights ( look what they did to Parramatta ) and the Panthers also have players missing and they are in the top 4. I don't want to see Daniel Mortimer as our 7 , i think he should be used as our 2nd hooker. Going over to Kiwi land is always tough , but it can't be any harder than what I have dealt with in the last 12 weeks.

teke
31-08-14, 02:23 PM
fail!!!!:laugh:lolz@dragons ;)

Titan4Life
31-08-14, 02:25 PM
Captain Bird leading by example.....

hammer
31-08-14, 02:27 PM
Perhaps another thread...but seriously we need a new captain/s for 2015...this culture needs to be rebuilt...and for the record I believe Henry can do it but he needs to be ruthless with the full backing of the board.

decentrix
31-08-14, 02:27 PM
I don't see any points in us today... Will we be held scoreless?

Titan4Life
31-08-14, 02:28 PM
KFFL and Don are the only ones who are slightly trying.

DIEHARD
31-08-14, 02:31 PM
Are we going to be niled for the first time ever?

DIEHARD
31-08-14, 02:32 PM
Perhaps another thread...but seriously we need a new captain/s for 2015...this culture needs to be rebuilt...and for the record I believe Henry can do it but he needs to be ruthless with the full backing of the board.

Good idea, I agree.

TitansFan92
31-08-14, 02:39 PM
No one updating the score any more?

decentrix
31-08-14, 02:40 PM
Ran out of fingers and toes.

hammer
31-08-14, 02:41 PM
42-0 with 71 minutes gone

TitansFan92
31-08-14, 02:42 PM
42-0 with 71 minutes gone

8 more points and the Donkeys are out of the top 8

DIEHARD
31-08-14, 02:43 PM
No one updating the score any more?

42-0

decentrix
31-08-14, 02:43 PM
Close call from Taka, almost had it. Last step was on the line.

hammer
31-08-14, 02:43 PM
The best Titans player today in my opinion has been Don...even with a mistake earlier.

DIEHARD
31-08-14, 02:43 PM
OH F F S. Taka over. Touchie says he went out....

Bad luck.

Titan4Life
31-08-14, 02:45 PM
Sorry I couldn't keep updating but my fingers were getting sore from typing constantly :laugh:

hammer
31-08-14, 02:49 PM
And we have been kept to NIL...that is the first time ever...yes?

Titan4Life
31-08-14, 02:50 PM
Great work by Zilly and White is killed.

So is that the first time we have been held scoreless?

DIEHARD
31-08-14, 02:51 PM
Well we have ourselves a new record on the books. We have been niled.

DIEHARD
31-08-14, 02:51 PM
And we have been kept to NIL...that is the first time ever...yes?

Yup...

Titan4Life
31-08-14, 02:52 PM
This game was bloody embarrassing to say the least. They played with no heart or enthusiasm. No player in our colours deserves to be payed this week, besides Don.

Talking about Don, he is the only one trying week in, week out. As Vossy said, he has real confidence about his game.

Our forwards were lazy once again, except Ioane who made 107m off the bench. No forward of ours besides him made more than 60m. Absolutely embarrassing.

Zillman surely can't be our fullback next year. His defence is shocking and he can't catch a ball to save his life. He had a good run at the end with Whitey flick pass and gains metres but that was it.

Agree with others that our halves are not good enough and will not win us games. I have turned to praying that B Hunt will come to us by some chance.

K2G
31-08-14, 03:00 PM
What our next coach needs to be like ...

http://i.imgur.com/rlMfUUF.jpg

mup23
31-08-14, 03:01 PM
We went 194 games without being held to zero. Equal 17th best streak in NSWRL/ARL/SL/NRL history

teke
31-08-14, 03:07 PM
This game was bloody embarrassing to say the least. They played with no heart or enthusiasm. No player in our colours deserves to be payed this week, besides Don.

Talking about Don, he is the only one trying week in, week out. As Vossy said, he has real confidence about his game.

Our forwards were lazy once again, except Ioane who made 107m off the bench. No forward of ours besides him made more than 60m. Absolutely embarrassing.

Zillman surely can't be our fullback next year. His defence is shocking and he can't catch a ball to save his life. He had a good run at the end with Whitey flick pass and gains metres but that was it.

Agree with others that our halves are not good enough and will not win us games. I have turned to praying that B Hunt will come to us by some chance.It was as simple as them being not good enough.

Forwards weren't lazy they were dominated, look at the size and skill diff.

As it stands right now, the club will go close to getting the spoon next yr aswell and I dont think there will be a dam thing anyone can do about it.

K2G
31-08-14, 03:08 PM
At least Hail Sezer was present for a history making Titans game!!
If not our worst performance of all time, I certainly can't remember one that screamed 'this team is clueless' any louder.

So many thingswere against us from before the whistle sounded. Yes injuries are out of the coaching staff's hands - yes we are probably hamstrung by second tier salary cap restraints, but seriously.... Zillman still fullback (lost us the game early imo)? Michaels on the bench? Mead fresh off a hammy injury out of position marking up on one of the biggest centre/wing combos in the league? Mini in the front row? the switching of positions on our right edge all game was pathetic. Henry doing himself no favours...

Titan4Life
31-08-14, 03:22 PM
It was as simple as them being not good enough.

Forwards weren't lazy they were dominated, look at the size and skill diff.

As it stands right now, the club will go close to getting the spoon next yr aswell and I dont think there will be a dam thing anyone can do about it.

They were lazy and they have been for weeks. Sure the Warriors are much bigger but our men didn't even look like they were trying. Don't run hard and can't defend for ****.

Agree with your second point. I can't see Henry nor any other coach turning us around instantly. We need a player clean out to get rid of the current lazy, unpassionate players who have no heart for the club.

- - - Updated - - -

I had a good laugh over the Titans tweet. I know they can't say 'The guys played **** today and deserved to be flogged but WTF?!?

@GCTitans: The Titans played some attractive football in the last 20 minutes and stopped the Warriors scoring in the last half hour. #NRLWARGLD

- - - Updated - - -

What do you disagree with in my post teke?

Hail Sezer
31-08-14, 03:22 PM
Just got home

What a crock of absolute **** that was. Cleanout needed. First titans game and its gonna be the only game for a while. Wont make the effort to see the m again if theyre gonna turn that out

hammer
31-08-14, 03:25 PM
Selling of memberships for next year has just got so much more difficult...where is our messiah?

DIEHARD
31-08-14, 03:33 PM
At least Hail Sezer was present for a history making Titans game!!

Hahaha.

Hail Sezer
31-08-14, 03:36 PM
↑ :laugh: I am absolutely honoured

DIEHARD
31-08-14, 03:44 PM
Selling of memberships for next year has just got so much more difficult...where is our messiah?

Probably has to come from off the field. Massive capital injection and new owners to join. That way at least we could spend the cap.

But there is not much on the market, playerwise.

Toads
31-08-14, 04:15 PM
Oh well.. I guess it was a milestone we were going to confront eventually (being held to nil).

Mexican titan
31-08-14, 04:27 PM
They were lazy and they have been for weeks. Sure the Warriors are much bigger but our men didn't even look like they were trying. Don't run hard and can't defend for ****.

Agree with your second point. I can't see Henry nor any other coach turning us around instantly. We need a player clean out to get rid of the current lazy, unpassionate players who have no heart for the club.

- - - Updated - - -

I had a good laugh over the Titans tweet. I know they can't say 'The guys played **** today and deserved to be flogged but WTF?!?

@GCTitans: The Titans played some attractive football in the last 20 minutes and stopped the Warriors scoring in the last half hour. #NRLWARGLD

- - - Updated - - -

What do you disagree with in my post teke?

I don't really want to get into a discussion with my Manly mate Teke but I agree with you T4L. The effort was heartless. Teke says look at the size and skill difference. I accept part of that but what about last week, The Dragons slayed us and their forwards are not anything special. We completed at 50% last week which is a reflection on us.
We can't just shrug our shoulders when a side might be bigger, faster, more skillful or whatever. A bit of old fashioned guts and spirit can get you out of lousy situations sometimes. Watch the last 10 minutes of the manly v Penrith game for example.
Let's not forget the Warriors are out of the 8 so plenty of other sides have had little problem with them this season.
Rant over.

K2G
31-08-14, 04:27 PM
Does anyone know what happened to James Roberts? Taken from the field early in the second half. Was it injury? Was it because he wasn't getting involved? Commentators didn't even mention it once and df course none of the bone-heads in the press conference bothered to ask ...

I don't think anyone other titans fans actually pay attention to our team, even if its their job which they get paid for. Some of the cr*p you hear commentators and ex players say about this team during games or on the various footy shows (which almost deserves its own thread) makes it blatantly obvious we're not taken seriously in the slightest. Zilly gets that many undue wraps, its not funny... well actually it's a deadset joke.

Hail Sezer
31-08-14, 04:37 PM
Does anyone know what happened to James Roberts? Taken from the field early in the second half. Was it injury? Was it because he wasn't getting involved? Commentators didn't even mention it once and df course none of the bone-heads in the press conference bothered to ask ...

I don't think anyone other titans fans actually pay attention to our team, even if its their job which they get paid for. Some of the cr*p you hear commentators and ex players say about this team during games or on the various footy shows (which almost deserves its own thread) makes it blatantly obvious we're not taken seriously in the slightest. Zilly gets that many undue wraps, its not funny... well actually it's a deadset joke.

Roberts was taken off and immediately had the medical team sitting either side of him and talking to him on the bench.

K2G
31-08-14, 04:46 PM
thanks HS. I'd give you a thumbs up, but that's terrible news!

teke
31-08-14, 04:52 PM
I don't really want to get into a discussion with my Manly mate Teke but I agree with you T4L. The effort was heartless. Teke says look at the size and skill difference. I accept part of that but what about last week, The Dragons slayed us and their forwards are not anything special. We completed at 50% last week which is a reflection on us.
We can't just shrug our shoulders when a side might be bigger, faster, more skillful or whatever. A bit of old fashioned guts and spirit can get you out of lousy situations sometimes. Watch the last 10 minutes of the manly v Penrith game for example.
Let's not forget the Warriors are out of the 8 so plenty of other sides have had little problem with them this season.
Rant over.I'm def not going to tell Mate he didn't try when he obviously did, same with others.

Titan4Life
31-08-14, 04:53 PM
I don't really want to get into a discussion with my Manly mate Teke but I agree with you T4L. The effort was heartless. Teke says look at the size and skill difference. I accept part of that but what about last week, The Dragons slayed us and their forwards are not anything special. We completed at 50% last week which is a reflection on us.
We can't just shrug our shoulders when a side might be bigger, faster, more skillful or whatever. A bit of old fashioned guts and spirit can get you out of lousy situations sometimes. Watch the last 10 minutes of the manly v Penrith game for example.
Let's not forget the Warriors are out of the 8 so plenty of other sides have had little problem with them this season.
Rant over.

Agree with everything you said. Our forwards haven't been bad only this week, they are consistently lazy every week. In most games this season we have been outmuscled by every pack, no matter what size.

C-Whiz
31-08-14, 05:16 PM
Once I got over the fact we were **** and accepted the loss I really enjoyed the last 10-15 minutes when we played like a team with no idea how to score a try. It was really fun and exciting.

jacksonm
31-08-14, 05:28 PM
At least a part of Henry'sjob got easier-retention, there must be better players in Qcup and NSW cup than 5or6 of what was on the field today.
Fans deserve better than that crap.

teke
31-08-14, 05:30 PM
Agree with everything you said. Our forwards haven't been bad only this week, they are consistently lazy every week. In most games this season we have been outmuscled by every pack, no matter what size.I quoted cwhiz but your post came up....gtfo my screen lol

teke
31-08-14, 05:45 PM
Once I got over the fact we were **** and accepted the loss I really enjoyed the last 10-15 minutes when we played like a team with no idea how to score a try. It was really fun and exciting.yeah I agree lol. It did get entertaining

TITAN PETE
31-08-14, 06:19 PM
Highlight for me wasn't Zillmans's 3 try assists for the Warriors it was having a beer with Cwhiz & Numbers then watching the Manly game

Titanic
31-08-14, 06:31 PM
I can't think of anything positive to say and I am just tired of making the same old comments about the rest of the bludgers ... the club needs a real clean out ... only Don will get my points this week and I am glad that Roberts got hooked ... over-rated for mine in the press and on the Forum.

DIEHARD
01-09-14, 03:06 AM
I can't think of anything positive to say and I am just tired of making the same old comments about the rest of the bludgers ... the club needs a real clean out ... only Don will get my points this week and I am glad that Roberts got hooked ... over-rated for mine in the press and on the Forum.

6 points for Don for me.

DIEHARD
01-09-14, 04:02 AM
Hear from Neil Henry following the Titans loss to the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium today.

<script height="315px" width="558px" src="http://player.ooyala.com/iframe.js#pbid=fd5fc71d2bcc4b60a622cf8d3348d605&ec=NvZDAwcDp0vpyvVbQUieDzGRKEV9V0cW"></script>

DIEHARD
01-09-14, 04:03 AM
Watch the match highlights from the Titans clash with the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium.

<script height="315px" width="558px" src="http://player.ooyala.com/iframe.js#ec=owNTAwcDoSel8UwCD4lUzJTNiYdEBLiC&pbid=fd5fc71d2bcc4b60a622cf8d3348d605"></script>

Toads
01-09-14, 07:01 AM
Watch the match highlights from the Titans clash with the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium.

There were highlights in yesterdays game? :p

EDIT: Ahh yes.. I see the highlights now. Zillman getting a hand on every try scorer, only to let them slip thru his fingers to cross the line for a try.

I also see they're still persisting with trying to win games by good fortune associated with jerseys etc.. Earlier in the year we dished it up to Storm during our Heritage round.

JunctionBlock
01-09-14, 07:58 AM
It came down to attitude and the hope that the season will end sooner rather than later. When they matched the intensity in the second half they held their own and even had more attacking opportunities (not that we know what to do in that situation). I know we had 16 players injured and I didn't expect much considering the season is over but some of these guys are fighting for more permanent spots, contracts and all of them are supposed to be fighting for fans, members and sponsors. They would want to have a different attitude this coming Sunday.

Titanic
01-09-14, 09:48 AM
JB, I doubt they care ... it seems like they all want to be elsewhere ... can't blame them really except they are on contracts which is something that should tweak their collective consciences ... but then again they have never demonstrated much in the way of loyalty, commitment or self-respect so we shouldn't be bothered either.

#sackthewholebloodylot

TitansFan92
01-09-14, 12:36 PM
Well said Titanic

DIEHARD
01-09-14, 01:27 PM
Gold Coast Titans bomb out in lead up to finals with the team failing to score a single point against the Warriors on the weekend

THE Titans probably thought they had experienced every low possible this season.

But they plunged to new depths against the Warriors in the opening hour of yesterday’s 42-0 shellacking, looking like a team begging for the end of the season to arrive*.

The worst thing that can be said about any outfit is that they are playing without pride.

But the Titans looked for much of the game like they would rather be anywhere but Mt Smart Stadium, dropping their heads and looking for someone else to blame.

Granted, they are facing an injury crisis as bad as any in their history and could choose an entire first-grade squad from the players unavailable.

But for the first time in the club’s 195-game history, they failed yesterday to score a single point.

And with their sixth successive loss, they equalled the club’s record losing streak — a mark they set earlier this season. Even in the wooden spoon season of 2011 things didn’t get this bad.

The Warriors had plenty to play for yesterday, with a spot in the eight on the line.

And when on song, as they were in the opening hour, the Kiwis are one of the most fearsome attacking outfits in the competition.

The Titans’ feeble defensive efforts were inexcusable, though.

Greg Bird’s scuffle with Warriors winger Ngani Laumape will come under the scrutiny of the match review committee but, his actions did seem to spark his teammates into action.

The captain conceded before the clash he had to lift his standards and while raw aggression* may not be the answer, it at least lifted his fellow Titans from their malaise*.

After seeming as though they would have at least a half-century notched against them following two soft tries in the opening minutes of the second term, the Titans suddenly found some grit.

They held their line for the final half-hour of the game and threatened to score to restore* some pride.

That is now left for this weekend, with the Titans desperate to salvage something from what has been a forgettable season.

Sunday’s clash against the Bulldogs — in what is likely to be Neil Henry’s first match in charge as John Cartwright’s long-term successor — must convince Titans fans there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Less than two months into the season the Titans led the competition.

But they become just the seventh team since the inception of compulsory grand finals in 1954, to miss the playoffs after leading through the first six rounds of the season. The last? The Gold Coast Titans in 2008.

With club stalwarts turning out for the final time and another slip down the ladder still possible, the Titans are playing for pride in Sunday’s final round.

It’s not good enough to end such a tough season on an insipid note.

Not good enough to send foundation player Mark Minichiello and stalwart Ashley Harrison out with anything less than their best. And not good enough to win back their dwindling fan base.

This time they have to turn up.

http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/nrl