Titans flyer losing battle to be fit
Travis Meyn | 12:01am February 25, 2012
Kevin Gordon is struggling to recover from a knee injury. Pic: Kit de Guymer
TITANS crowd favourite Kevin Gordon is losing a gallant battle to be fit for Round 1, with a knee injury set to rule the Gold Coast flyer out of next Saturday's season-opener against North Queensland.
The Titans finished their pre-season campaign this week with a three-day camp at Ballina where it emerged Jordan Rankin would snare the key five-eighth role.
Rankin and Will Zillman have been auditioning for the position and coach John Cartwright is yet to make a final decision, however Rankin is likely to partner captain Scott Prince in the halves after three solid trials.
With the five-eighth dilemma close to being solved, the other starting side selection problem is Gordon, with the speedster to be given until Monday to prove his fitness after copping a knock to his left knee during the Broncos trial a fortnight ago.
It is a crushing blow for the speedster, who underwent a knee reconstruction last year and worked hard in his off-season rehabilitation.
The 21-year-old was initially expected to be fit for the Townsville clash against the Cowboys but swelling around the reconstructed knee is yet to subside.
Gordon has been on a limited training program for the past week and it is expected Titans medical staff will err on the side of caution with the electrifying winger.
Gordon's omission opens the door for battler Steve Michaels to move on to the left wing outside star centre Jamal Idris.
Hooker Matt Srama (shoulder injury) trained strongly at Ballina and is confident of being available for selection when Cartwright names his team on Tuesday.
www.goldcoast.com.au
Results 1 to 12 of 12
-
Tech Administrator
- Join Date
- Jul 2006
- Location
- Section 30
- Posts
- 6,055
Titans flyer losing battle to be fit
Originally Posted by nrl.com
-
QLD Cup Titan
- Join Date
- Aug 2011
- Location
- Gold Coast
- Posts
- 672
YES RANKIN IS 5/8!! ZILLMAN TO BE DALLY M FOR 2012 AND TO TOP THE TRY SCORING CHARTS!!!!
-
Moderator
- Join Date
- Jul 2008
- Location
- Skilled Park- S4
- Posts
- 3,539
Why not Phil Graham on the wing if Gordon is injured?
-
QLD Cup Titan
- Join Date
- Aug 2011
- Location
- Gold Coast
- Posts
- 672
I agree with you. Phil Graham adds speed and experience to the backs. I would be dissapointed if Michaels does get selected. Originally Posted by Bayside Titans
Isnt anyone happy that Zillman will be fullback and Rankin will be at 5/8?!?!?
-
Rep Player
- Join Date
- Oct 2005
- Posts
- 1,881
yep happy with that combo
-
Junior Titan
- Join Date
- Feb 2012
- Posts
- 29
Rankin is good with throwing cut outs. He can pass the ball really well. Originally Posted by ozynorts
As for Zillman he will just score tries. He will be back to what he does best.''Unfortunately my dad is not around anymore, but I know he'll be watching down on me and I just want to make him proud." - Jordan Rankin
-
One Clubman
- Join Date
- Sep 2006
- Location
- Brisbane
- Posts
- 3,199
Graham injured his ankle last year in training. Not sure if he is fit yet?
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/...st-titans.html
-
Immortal
- Join Date
- Oct 2008
- Location
- Next door to Alice
- Posts
- 10,581
I would push for Peyroux on that wing because of his height and robustness. Michaels is a goer but he has serious defensive issues in both height and speedbumpness.
Rankin at 6 and Zillman and I will finally shut up about it IF it's true.Four reasons to escape to Queensland: Sun, Surf, Sand & the Titans.
-
Coach
- Join Date
- Aug 2011
- Posts
- 4,111
peyroux defended well when i saw him last year, and he is the future more than michaels. would be happy to see him there.
-
Coach
- Join Date
- Jan 2009
- Location
- Titans Town
- Posts
- 4,775
If Michaels plays well against the Cowboys Kev might have to do some time in Q Cup.
-
Rep Player
- Join Date
- Sep 2005
- Location
- Robina
- Posts
- 1,806
This article shows precisely why we are all so optimistic about 2012. There has never been another time in our history where we have had so many options. For the first time ever we actually have depth.
I really am rapt to read that Carty has had Rankin training at 5/8 because Zillman has ALWAYS been our first choice fullback. There are going to be some growing pains with Rankin in there however and Carty and the rest of the team are going to have to show some patience with him.
I like the call for Peyroux - I am definitely a fan of his work, mainly because he won me $500 on a footy double last year!!
He or Michaels will do a good job outside Idris and really the success or failure of the team will not be determined by the winger. A bit of Q Cup time is exactly what Gordon needs I reckon to get a bit of confidence back. The NRL is not the place for a player who is looking to return to form. While we have options we should use them and get Kev back only when he is ready to show his blistering best.
-
Junior Titan
- Join Date
- Oct 2011
- Posts
- 23
Graham broke bones in his wrist which kept him out of all of the trials.
He may be a bit short of a run but he would still be my pick.
Reply With Quote
