ROUND 19: KNIGHTS vs TITANS

[Toads]

Myles performance (Round 18) + Round 19 Captaincy = Just shoot me now 'n be done with it.

[Mexican titan]

Got all you lot at 6's and 7's

You halvewit

[Titanic]

You halvewit

Talk about doing things in halves, you're taking your usual 'glass half empty' position, I see

[DIEHARD]

Newcastle Knights v Gold Coast Titans preview
Hunter Stadium Saturday 5:30pm
http://www.nrl.com

The Knights and Titans aren't in the best of form. Sitting at last and third-last respectively, each team will be out to reverse their fortunes on Saturday afternoon.

Newcastle has lost 11 of their past 12 games, meaning star recruit back-rower Tariq Sims has won just once in Newcastle colours in his dozen appearances.

While the Titans aren't going as bad, losing their past three including their 38-6 loss to the lowly placed Sea Eagles on Monday night.

This game has the potential to be a high scoring affair especially when it comes to tries conceded – the Knights (69) and Titans (70) occupy the two highest rungs of this particular stat.

Each team will welcome back one veteran enforcer this weekend. Greg Bird will return from an eight-match suspension in place of Lachlan Burr while Beau Scott returns from a week long absence following his suspension in Origin III to replace 18th man Paterika Vaivai.

Watch out Knights: Unlike many of his teammates against Manly, Dave Taylor was a man on a mission. The first one to meet Brett Stewart under the high ball on several occasions, Taylor was duly rewarded for his efforts by coach Neil Henry having been named to start this week. It's an astute promotion too given Taylor was a one-man wrecking ball the last time he was in Newcastle.

Watch out Titans: With Newcastle halfback Tyrone Roberts signalling this week he wasn't simply going to "roll over" for incoming 2016-Knight Trent Hodkinson, expect the local junior to step up at the backend of the season. Making his return in Newcastle's last start loss to Canberra after a six week absence, Roberts will be hoping to put forward a strong performance alongside Jarrod Mullen.

Key Match-Up: Jeremy Smith v Greg Bird: With Bird returning from an eight-game suspension this weekend and with Smith just one game back from a long-term sternum injury, the battle of the veterans will be sure to heat up Hunter Stadium. With Joey Tapine, Sam Mataora, Agnatius Paasi and Nathaniel Peteru sure to back up their respective statesmen, you can be sure Smith and Bird will delve into the nitty-gritty side of things.

The History: Played 13; Knights 8, Titans 5. In their brief history, the Knights have only once failed (from four attempts) to back up one win with another against the Gold Coast. Considering they left it late to sink the Titans 20-18 back in Round 3, the ball is in Newcastle's court for this one.

What are the Odds: The Titans are almost friendless in betting, and the Knights have shortened as the week has worn on. Newcastle to win 13-plus has been the most popular winning margin with Sportsbet. Latest odds at Sportsbet.com.au

Match Officials: Referee: Gavin Badger. Assistant Referee: David Munro. Sideline Officials: Rick MacFarlane and Rohan Best. Video Referees: Bernard Sutton and Steve Folkes.

Televised: Fox Sports 1 (Live) – 5:30pm

The Way We See It: Something has to give with Newcastle. In a weekend where the NRL celebrates Heritage Round, surely the Knights can get themselves up for this one. With the wooden spoon favoured to be theirs by season's end, coach Rick Stone won't have to go to great lengths to motivate his crew for this one –Newcastle by eight points.

[Brock O'Brien]

Wrong Bird big fella

[Titanic]

A Bird in each report is worth two in different games.

[JunctionBlock]

Bird is the word.

[JunctionBlock]

Obviously not a fan!

Superstition Aint the Way
by The Meddler on July 16, 2015 8:00 am


DROP Greg Bird or risk more of Bird’s droppings.

That was the choice facing the Gold Coast Titans at selection this week.

Alas there was not more strength shown at that meeting….

It is no secret that the Titans have amassed a war chest that is the envy of the National Rugby League.

The embattled club quite literally have millions of dollars of salary cap funds to spend on attracting marquee talent to the club starting from next year onwards.

Who they will end up luring to play footy in paradise is still anyone’s guess.

What is becoming clear though is the radical, innovative strategy the club used to build its treasury.

Traditionally a club’s salary cap coffers are swelled using a combination of savvy player management, shrewd business nouse and a whole lot of luck.

But in keeping with their rich tradition of lateral, outside-the-square thinking, the Titans have come up with a sure-fire way to make heaps of money without the hassle of having to work hard to do it.

Their plan has been a simple, albeit superstitious one.

Just get pooped on by a Bird.

Repeatedly.

At almost any other sporting club in Australia, any player who has stuffed up as royally as Greg Bird has this year would be lucky to be still training with the first grade side.

The troubled Titans captain almost dealt the club a near death blow in March when he was charged with possessing and supply of cocaine.

Weeks later he was reinstated by the club he almost shattered only to repay them by dangerously tackling an opponent in the Anzac Test Match.

Being a repeat offender of the lifting tackle, Bird was ruled out for 8 weeks.

Eight!

Just how much Bird sh*t can the fans take?

After knocking the Titans to their knees then sitting back and watching them struggle for two months, you would think Bird’s days of playing first grade for the Titans would be over right?

Wrong.

Maybe at a club with a bit more backbone like the Broncos, Hawthorn, Swans or Storm Greg Bird’s carelessness would have been the perfect chance to set some standards of conduct and strengthen the culture of the club.

Maybe at a stronger club the coach would have sent a stern message to players and fans alike that bringing the club down has consequences and repercussions.

Not on the Gold Coast.

So committed is coach Neil Henry to the club’s superstitious salary cap strategy that Greg Bird has been rushed straight back into the starting side to face the Knights this weekend.

To make matters worse, Bird’s inclusion comes at the expense of 22 year old boom forward Lachlan Burr who has displayed great potential this season.

The problem with Bird poo is that while it may bring you money, it still stinks!

[karnage]

Haha!! Pretty good read, thanks JB!!

This weekend is a wooden spoon four pointer if ever there was one. We've split our home and away series with the Sharks and the Knights, we need to do the same here. The concern being our terrible historical record backing up off a Monday Night game. However, given the complete lack of contact in the Manly game most of the players should pull up OK.

[Mexican titan]

Yeah a good read but "Bird’s inclusion comes at the expense of 22 year old boom forward Lachlan Burr". Boom forward - not yet I don't think.

[Titanic Believer]

I love the Bully article this morning about looking to experience to stiffen the discipline of the squad. If I recall Myles was the worst offender against Manly.
Bird has serious issues of discipline. Taylor has brain explosions.....go figure?

[DIEHARD]

[Titanic]

I love the Bully article this morning about looking to experience to stiffen the discipline of the squad. If I recall Myles was the worst offender against Manly.
Bird has serious issues of discipline. Taylor has brain explosions.....go figure?

How right you are:

1. Myles most errors
2. James most penalties
3. Bird most suspensions
4. Taylor most brainsnaps
5. Falloon most invisible
6. Douglas most expected to carry the pack
7. Henry most dillusional

[IpswichTitans]

Some Good News on LG!

The Titans are expected to regain rookie halfback Kane Elgey for the trip to Newcastle, while five-eighth Aidan Sezer could return against the Broncos.

“Myself and Kane Elgey are back this week hopefully, he has to do a fitness test, Sezer next week or the week after, it’s looking up from here for the Titans,” Bird said.

Source: http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-...-1227444679270

[JunctionBlock]

Wackos Whispers....

Knights vs Titans

Knights to have 1 change with Houston set to overcome finger injury to come into 17 for Mataora, no other late changes expected. Titans also expected to have 1 change with Elgey set to start at HB with Mortimer expected to drop out of 17. Myles will play despite picking up arm injury last week, no other late changes expected.

Mortimer dropped all together, possibly. Wow.