Round 16: Gold Coast Titans vs New Zealand Warriors

[DIEHARD]

Gold Coast Titans vs New Zealand Warriors
5:30pm Saturday 27 June 2009 - Skilled Park

TITANS

1. Preston Campbell
2. Kevin Gordon
3. Esi Tonga
4. Brett Delaney
5. Chris Walker
6. Mat Rogers
7. Scott Prince (c)
8. Matt White
9. Nathan Friend
10. Michael Henderson
11. Anthony Laffranchi
12. Brad Meyers
13. Ashley Harrison

14. Aaron Cannings
15. Will Matthews
16. Luke O'Dwyer
17. William Zillman
18. Josh Graham
19. Daniel Conn

WARRIORS

1. Wade McKinnon
2. Kevin Locke
3. Patrick Ah Van
4. Joel Moon
5. Manu Vatuvei
6. Lance Hohaia
7. Stacey Jones
8. Sam Rapira
9. Ian Henderson
10. Steve Price (C)
11. Simon Mannering
12. Lewis Brown
13. Micheal Luck (Vc)

14. Aaron Heremaia
15. Jesse Royal
16. Ben Matulino
17. Jacob Lillyman
20. Russell Packer

[Adelaide Titan]

still a while away but hopefully with the bye this weekend we can get a full side back if Luke Bailey recovers and continue our home ground dominance. We need a big win sooner or later and i think this may be it. The warriors havnt exactly been in great form and the Titans know they cant afford to drop off again.

Early tip but...Titans by 20

[DIEHARD]

I would love to see the Titans open up and win by 20 points. That home ground advantage and a vulnerable Warriors side.

I hope we can have Rogers back, we miss Rogers and he is a very important part of our team. Underrated in that regard. I think Bull will miss the game, at best just to give him another week, he is too valuable to our Finals campaign.

After being at the Gosford game against the Roosters, I will welcome the return to Skilled Park and that home ground advantage. I know there wasn't many people at last week's game, but the Chook Pen was in full voice pumping energy into their team.

This should be a BIG game, we always draw well on the Coast against the Warriors. So get your tickets soon! http://www.ticketek.com.au

[Adelaide Titan]

yeah we are probably better off resting Bailey, afterall injuries have derailed our last 2 seasons. When is Minichiello back? It will be hard for him to get a spot in the team as its very strong at the moment, which is not a problem. He would be a great inclusion on any given day.

Well, i'll certaintly be watching this game at home on TV!

[DIEHARD]

Well, i'll certaintly be watching this game at home on TV!

Glad to hear you have Foxtel, at least you can see all the games and rugby league shows, even if you can't get to the matches.

[Adelaide Titan]

The only annoying thing is friday night games, we dont get them til late on channel 9 and even Fox doesnt show them live, but I have IQ so if I miss a game i can just record it =)

There's actually a fair few Titans fans here!

A win here could almost cement us in the finals, so this is an important game indeed.

[DIEHARD]

Gold Coast hit with double blow as Bailey, Minichiello miss more time

Comeback plans have been put on hold for Gold Coast forwards Luke Bailey and Mark Minichiello in a major blow to the Titans' quest to end their NRL finals hoodoo.

Bailey and Minichiello had been expected to return from injury against the Warriors at Skilled Park on Saturday.

But Bailey has been ruled out for at least another two weeks after follow up scans on his broken arm.

And the jury is out on when Minichiello will return as he continues to battle an ankle ligament complaint suffered last month.

As a result, Titans coach John Cartwright has thrown former Newcastle player Matt White and injury-plagued forward Michael Henderson into the front row for the weekend clash.

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

[DIEHARD]

Props aim to step-up without Bailey
Adam Gardini

Jetstar Gold Coast Titans props Michael Henderson and Matt White will aim to lead from the front in the absence of Luke Bailey in Saturday?s clash against the New Zealand Warriors at Skilled Park.

Bailey is expected to be sidelined for another two matches after follow-up scans of his injured right arm confirmed he had suffered a slight fracture.

After forming a successful starting front row combination in the club?s last-start win over the Sydney Roosters, Henderson said he and White were again eager to step-up against the Warriors? big pack.

?Bails is the sort of player that you can?t sort of replace, you just have to do your best to make up for him not being there,?? said Henderson.

?Us forwards are going to have our work cut out but hopefully we can turn up with a good attitude and get a good crowd out there and put on a good show.??

To listen to the full interview with Henderson click on the link Michael Henderson interview

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

[DIEHARD]

Gates open at 3:10pm with the Under 20?s at 3:15pm, followed by Game Day TV and then the big game, the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans v the New Zealand Warriors at 5:30pm

[DIEHARD]

Henderson to take on fearsome Warriors

BARNSTORMING Titans forward Michael Henderson has revealed he is not happy with his form and will use an opportunity to take on one of the biggest packs in the game as the chance to make his mark.

Henderson, who coach John Cartwright believes will eventually play Origin, gave a frank assessment of his form yesterday.

"I've been a bit inconsistent," he said. "I have a good game then I sort of lack a bit.

"The last game (against the Roosters) I had some bad handling errors which was very disappointing, so hopefully I can improve this week and keep improving all year."

The Titans pack was put through a searching field session yesterday in readiness for the Warriors, who have a fearsome bunch of forwards led by Maroon Steve Price.

With international Luke Bailey and City Origin representative Mark Minichiello injured, Cartwright said it would be the perfect opportunity for Henderson and the rest of the pack to showcase their ability.

"Bails has missed a few games recently, and we've covered up pretty well," he said.

"It's given guys more responsibility, it's given them a chance to show what they can do and another chance this week against another big physical pack."

The hard working forward is the future of the Titans after experienced frontrower Michael Hodgson moved to the Bulldogs this season where he has been in super form, while James Stosic went overseas.

Henderson admitted Bailey is irreplaceable. "You've got to do your best with him not there," he said.

"Us forwards are going to have our work cut out, but hopefully we can turn up with a good attitude.

"It's a good opportunity to step up a bit. Obviously we'll miss those guys but to be a force you've got to be able to win without the big guys."

The 24-year-old, who overcame a horrific broken leg two years ago, said he relished any opportunity to take on the Warriors.

"Every time you play the Warriors, you're a bit sore the day after, so it'll be no different this week," said Henderson. "They had a big win last match and hopefully we can nullify them early and go well."

Cartwright is wary of the Warriors, who have troubled the Titans in previous years with their size.

It is being billed as a battle of the big boppers but Cartwright has urged his players for an 80-minute performance with the ball.

"We haven't produced an 80-minute performance with the ball," he said. "Defensively we have, I think our defence has been a major improvement for us this year."

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

[curly_11]

I see Bailey is out for another two weeks which is going to hurt us a bit especially against the Warriors who have a really big pack. But whats the story about Mino. The ankle injury is worse than first thought but how long until he makes his return? Maybe they are being really cautious over last year...not sure

As for who i would drop in the team to make way for conn, i would have to say henderson's form of late has been pretty touch and go. Lots of ball handling errors and not really making the metres he normally does. A few weeks in the lower grades could be just the thing he needs. I think will matthew's form has been good and apart from the non pass to presto in the broncos game he hasnt made many mistakes!

My pack at the moment would be:

8. Cannings
9 Friend
10. White
11. Laffranchi
12. O'Dwyer
13. Harrison

Bench
Myers
Conn
Matthews
Zillman (Utility)

Here's hoping henderson returns to good form this week i feel we'll need it.

[TITAN PETE]

The Warriors have too much size to even consider dropping Henderson , he played well against the Roosters but a Man of the Match performance would be nice this weekend

[kwigibo]

The Warriors have too much size to even consider dropping Henderson , he played well against the Roosters but a Man of the Match performance would be nice this weekend

The warriors' size is a myth, they have the same size pack as every other team.

[DIEHARD]

From The View Round 16

Didn?t see that coming:

The emergence of three exciting young talents in the Titans backline seems to have caught everyone by surprise. William Zillman proved that the Titans lose nothing when Preston Campbell is shifted to five-eighth to cover for Mat Rogers. He made nine runs for a gain of 182 metres against the Warriors on Saturday night, which included four tackle busts and two line breaks. He has been one of the buys of the season since arriving from Canberra in 2009. Meanwhile, two players who, it is fair to say, were not at the forefront of John Cartwright?s mind at the start of the season - Kevin Gordon and David Mead ? produced two-try performances on the wings. Gordon ran for 179 metres and made three tackle breaks, one line break and scored two tries against the Warriors. Mead, making his NRL debut, also crossed for a double. Their performances are sure to have regular first-graders like Chris Walker on his toes, and confirmed that the Titans are acquiring some good depth in just their third season of NRL football.

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