Bailey gives Titans boost for Penrith
Adam Gardini | Saturday 30 March 2013 11:13 AM
The iSelect Gold Coast Titans have today been given a boost ahead of tomorrow?s clash against Penrith at Centrebet Stadium, with prop Luke Bailey cleared to play after overcoming a calf complaint.
Bailey was restricted to light training throughout the week after suffering a calf injury in last week?s win over Manly but was this morning given the all clear to take on the Panthers after completing training with the Titans squad at Skilled Park.
?Yeah he got through that ok, he?s had a bit of a light week,?? said Coach John Cartwright.
?He had a bit of a calf problem but he got through that 100 per cent so he?ll take his place.??
The news is a welcomed boost for the Titans, having already lost two players ? Ashley Harrison (concussion) and Brad Takairangi (hamstring) ? in the build-up to tomorrow?s clash.
However, Cartwright said it was a luxury to be able to call upon two experienced campaigners Luke O?Dwyer and Steve Michaels to fill the void.
The match will mark Michaels' milestone 50th match for the Titans.
?That?s what your depth is all about. Those guys have played 100 plus games and they?re real pros so we?re fortunate that we can call on those guys,?? he said.
?Hopefully the guys that are out aren?t out for too long but we?ve got two great replacements there.??
Cartwright said Harrison had been physically fine after suffering a concussion against Manly but was ruled out as a precaution.
?He?s fine, I suppose it?s more precautionary than anything, the decision comes down to the medical people and they?ve decided that it?s in the best interest of ?Harro? to have the week off,?? he said.
The Titans head to Penrith on the back of consecutive wins over Canberra (36-0) and Manly (16-14), while Penrith have shown some encouraging signs in recent losses to the Rabbitohs (44-32) and Wests Tigers (28-18).
Cartwright said he was wary of a Penrith side he believes can improve on their opening three matches and can score plenty of points if given opportunities.
?I think there?s plenty of improvement in them. There?s a lot of new guys at the club and when you get that, they?re all out to impress,?? said Cartwright.
?The young hooker (James Segeyaro) is doing really well, they?ve got two good front rowers so the foundations for the game are there.
?We?ve really got to work hard on keeping them down in there end because if they get some decent ball, they?re pretty hard to hold out.??
iSelect Titans v Penrith Panthers
Sunday, March 31 | 3pm (AEDT) ? Centrebet Stadium
1. William Zillman
2. Kevin Gordon
20. Steve Michaels
4. Jamal Idris
5. David Mead
6. Aidan Sezer
7. Albert Kelly
8. Luke Douglas
9. Matt Srama
10. Nate Myles
11. Greg Bird
12. Ben Ridge
18. Luke O?Dwyer
14. David Taylor
15. Luke Bailey
16. Ryan James
17. Beau Falloon
http://www.titans.com.au/news-display/titans/71208