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Gold Coast Titans’ young guns put finals on agenda for 2019
https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/
GARTH Brennan’s assertion the Titans are on the road to a strong future gained its biggest tick of approval yesterday as generation next led the Gold Coast to a drought-breaking win against New Zealand.
Five-eighth AJ Brennan, three-quarters Brenko Lee and Phillip Sami and forwards Keegan Hipgrave and Moeaki Fotuaika were instrumental in the win, with Brennan optimistic about the club’s future next season.
“It’s exciting where this club’s heading, we’ve got some super kids coming through and we’ve got some really good experienced guys around them that are helping them,” Brennan said.
“You go through our side — Phil Sami’s young, AJ’s young, Ash is young, Jai Arrow’s young, Moe Fotuaika’s only 18 and doing what he’s doing as a front-rower in the NRL is enormous.
“There’s a massive upside for the Titans.
“We’ve had some heartbreaking times this year and we’ve had some performances that haven’t been where they need to be but I know we’re heading in the right direction.”
One of the features for the Titans is the “experienced” players Brennan talks of are all relatively young as well.
Aside from fullback Michael Gordon, who turns 35 at the end of the season, entrenched Titans players Ryan James, Jarrod Wallace, Nathan Peats and Kevin Proctor are in their late 20s and at the peak of their powers.
Blooding players like Brimson and Fotuaika this season as Sami, Hipgrave and Arrow build on their NRL experience puts the Titans in the box seat for 2019 when the heat will be on Brennan to produce a top-eight result in his second year as head coach.
“I know (the experience they get) this year is going to be great for them going forward,” Brennan said.
“Those guys will be better for the experience, those younger guys, and hopefully some of our senior guys will develop into the leaders that we need them to be.”
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TOP FIVE TITANS
https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/
AJ BRIMSON
Outstanding in defence again. Scored a try and looked dangerous every time he ran to the line. Made two huge tackles on Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to stop tries. His best game so far in first grade.
BRENKO LEE
In just 10 minutes after halftime, showed why the Titans have given him another year at the club. In setting up a try for Anthony Don and scoring himself through an intercept, Lee almost singlehandedly turned the tide.
RYAN JAMES
While he posted 116m and 23 tackles, James has had better games statistically this season. But few have been as important. The captain led by example, with his offload to set up Phillip Sami’s first try outstanding. Has maintained an incredible standard to be rated one of the league’s best 80-minute forwards.
PHILLIP SAMI
A two-try effort left him equal with Anthony Don on 11 as the club’s leading try-scorers this season. But it’s not just his ability to finish that is impressing, with the 20-yearold displaying greater confidence and a step and speed that will keep him in the Titans team for years to come.
KEEGAN HIPGRAVE
Caught backpeddling at marker as Karl Lawton charged over for a try that put the Warriors back in the lead but that was one of the few mistakes Hipgrave made as he cemented his position as the aggressive force the Titans need. Finished with 117m and 28 tackles to join a celebration of the team’s young guns.
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Poor old Rein missed out on a shout out.