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Given our previous completion rates on a dry track I’m not looking forward to it with the rain the way it is.
Going into the game expecting a loss is a lot easier than going in expecting g to win. Now we get to see improvements or players not required in the future.
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I’m expecting better efforts from here on with the Fifita contract as blokes fight for new contracts
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Titans v Panthers: Proctor back as Penrith trio ruled out
http://www.nrl.com
With only three wins to their name in 2020, the Titans are struggling to stay in finals contention.
They threw their best punch at the Storm last week and were right in the contest just before half-time.
They were ultimately blown away 42-6 but first-year coach Justin Holbrook would've been encouraged by his team's first-half effort and will be demanding an 80-minute performance on Sunday.
The Panthers notched their eighth win of the season last week against the Cowboys and coach Ivan Cleary will be doing his best to keep complacency at bay against a team they're expected to beat comfortably.
Match: Titans v Panthers
ROUND 11 - SUNDAY 26TH JULY
Home Team Titans Odds
$6.50
Away Team Panthers Odds
$1.12
Venue:Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Team news
Titans: Dale Copley returns from injury, bumping Phillip Sami to wing and Treymain Spry out of the side. Captain Kevin Proctor is also back from a biceps injury as a straight swap in the back row for Beau Fermor.
Jamal Fogarty has been named despite going off injured last week. Gold Coast have won only one of their past 11 games at Cbus Super Stadium.
Panthers: Caleb Aekins returns to fullback for Dylan Edwards (hamstring) while Brent Naden moves to centre for Dean Whare (thigh) with Malakai Watene-Zelezniak called up on the wing.
Api Koroisau (elbow) is also injured with Mitch Kenny in at hooker. The Panthers have won five of their past six games against the Titans.
Key match-up
Erin Clark/Tanah Boyd v Api Koroisau: Holbrook used Clark at hooker for 45 minutes last week and Boyd filled the role for the final 35 minutes. Both will have to be bring their absolute best against one of the NRL's most dangerous players. Koroisau is being touted as a State of Origin rep in 2020.
He is a master of dummy-half play and he's the main reason why the Panthers are firmly on course for a top-four finish.
Stat Attack
The Panthers only have to reflect on last year's round five duel with the Titans if they need a reminder of what happens when you underestimate your opponent. The Titans claimed a 30-24 victory as Michael Gordon scored a try and kicked five from five. Penrith exacted revenge on home soil in round 17, with Brian To'o and Dylan Edwards bagging two tries apiece in a 24-2 triumph.
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#TitansSuperFan – Dress in your best Titans gear, snap a pic and use the hashtag to go in the draw to win a double Village Roadshow Ultimate One Pass.
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Coaches Last Words: Titans focused ahead of Panthers
https://www.titans.com.au/
Gold Coast Titans Head Coach Justin Holbrook said he was focused on his own team's performance rather the dangers presented by a Panthers side that can regain top spot on the Telstra Premiership ladder with a win on Sunday.
"They're playing really well, they're completing really high and they've got some dangerous strike players," he said of Penrith.
"We've got to play better ourselves. We competed well for 25/30 minutes last week and then got overpowered making too many errors against the Storm. We've got to play the full 80 minutes tomorrow and I'm confident if we do that we can get the win.
"They're a side that don't beat themselves, they play pretty simple really and they've got some strike individual players that they rely on. So it's up to us to make sure we're well aware of that."
The Titans are buoyed by the return of experienced duo Dale Copley and Kevin Proctor. Their returns come on the back of Brian Kelly and Phillip Sami rejoining the side last week against the Storm and have the Titans ret
"It is [a big challenge] but it's great for us. KP's played for a long time and to have him and Dale Copley back – I thought we missed a few senior players last week and that was the difference," Holbrook said on Saturday.
"To get those guys back, yeah we've got a big job to do to deal with Kikau and Crichton on their left edge, but Kevin's full of experience and he's always been a great defender so I'm confident we'll be OK there."
The home match against the Panthers has been dubbed 'Sunday Family Fun Day' by the Titans, with a focus on families attending what will be just their third home match with fans since the resumption of the season in round three.
"I think it's great," Holbrook said. "The players have done a great job while there were cardboard cutouts and no fans allowed, but to now [have fans] be able to come to the games – I think it was great at our last outing against the Warriors to storm home and get a win at our home ground so it'd be great to play well again there tomorrow and get a win over the Panthers."
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Kikau out too, we actually might have a chance here
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League Unlimited are doing a Big League-like magazine each Round. Check it out CLICK HERE
http://www.diehardtitan.com/wp-conte...20/07/24.3.jpg
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Game day!
Can't wait to see what our ball handling is like in this weather
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This weather sucks
I am rapidly losing motivation to go today
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I sense an upset coming our way today. We are definitely good value for the punters at $5.50 head to head with a 14.5 start.
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With the amount of players out for the Panthers and this weather it has definitely evened the playing field. Panthers aren’t taking us seriously and no one wants to play in this (unless it’s under 10’s). If we prepare and motivate the team they could have a slim chance if we can hang on to the ball.
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We can barely hold on to the ball in dry conditions so I am abit worried today even with all panthers injuries they still have Cleary in red hot form he will put on a kicking masterclass in these wet conditions
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Jai Whitbread onto the interchange bench for Sam Lisone.
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plus Viliame Kikau out for Penrith.