Round 25 Titans v Dragons

[Toads]

Nate Myles might not get a fairytale Gold Coast farewell due to injury
http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/

NATE Myles won’t get a fairytale Gold Coast farewell ...

Didn't really matter, as he turned off early in the season. Just don't waste a spot in the 17 man Squad that goes to Townsville the following week. Release him now so he can **** off to Manly this weekend.

[DIEHARD]

Dragons aim to make home final push
https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest

Their NRL finals spot is effectively confirmed and now St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor is aiming even higher.

Manly's heavy loss to the Sydney Roosters on Friday night means the Dragons can make sure of a finals position with victory against Gold Coast on Sunday.

The Dragons are two points clear and hold a healthy percentage advantage over the ninth-placed Sea Eagles, so even two defeats in their final two matches are unlikely to cost them a finals berth.

But McGregor believes the race for fifth and sixth spots on the ladder is also wide open and doesn't want his team to just settle with making the eight, but push on to secure a week-one home final.

"Obviously we hope the other teams fall over along the way but, for us, it's all about what we can control and getting ready to play the Titans this week and the Tigers the week after," McGregor said.

"If we manage to win both of them games we put ourselves in a position that we can challenge for the fifth and sixth if other teams fall over."

Standing in their way is a Titans team missing key forwards Ryan James (suspended) and Greg Bird (groin) and with captain Nate Myles also under an injury cloud.

Myles, one of several Titans who'll be making their final home appearance for the club on Sunday, will be given every chance to prove his fitness as he battles a thumb injury.

The Queensland and Australia representative, who'll join the Sea Eagles at season's end, trained with a guard on his sore digit on Saturday and will be assessed before a final decision is made.

"It's still a bit sore. So you'll have to say he's in some doubt," Henry said.

"He's pretty determined to be on the field for the last home game and his last home game at the club so hopefully he'll make it."

Henry is also aiming to challenge his team to act as spoilers to the Dragons' ambitions in Sunday's game.

"We obviously can't play finals footy, and that's disappointing, but what we can do is upset some other teams on the way and finish the year on a high."

[DIEHARD]

Last game of the season at home, back in the day that'd be time for a toga party!

TICKETS HERE

[DIEHARD]

Merrin: Need To Be At Our Best
http://www.dragons.com.au/

St George Illawarra Dragons prop Trent Merrin is excited by the return of several teammates ahead of the clash against the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium, Robina on Sunday.

Merrin, 25, admitted there was a gap left by injured teammates Jason Nightingale, Benji Marshall and Joel Thompson and is looking forward to playing with a full team this weekend.

The NSW Blues representative, who recently returned from suspension, understands that preparation will be key in the Red-and-Whites’ final two matches, as they look to put themselves in a good position heading into the semi finals.

“It’s an exciting part of the season now, we’ve got to do a good job over the next two weeks and look forward to the semis,” said Merrin.

“It was tough being out the first two weeks but I think that was meant to happen, you’ve got to work hard to get your match fitness back up to that level.

“I’ve got a few games under my belt now and it’s good leading into the business end of the season.

“It’s been a bit difficult this year due to injuries but we’re getting all the boys back on deck and it’s come at a perfect time.

“It’s great to have Jason back, he’s worked hard while he’s been away with his injury and he’s put himself in a great position to get back in the team and finish the season strong.

“You always need those playmakers on the field to make it happen so it’s great that we have two of the best halves in the game working together and building momentum.

“Joel leaves a big hole to fill and it’s great to have him back, he’s definitely going to lift the boys, he brings that excitement to the team and the boys feed off that.

“I think these are the games where you have to be at your best because you don’t know what you’re going to get and they could come out firing so we’ve just got to prepare the best we possibly can and take them on.”

[DIEHARD]

Aitken: It's A Must Win Game
http://www.dragons.com.au/



St George Illawarra Dragons centre Euan Aitken is viewing each game as a must-win starting with the fixture against the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium, Robina on Sunday.

Aitken, 20, believes the Red V can control their own fate and put themselves in a good position in the top eight, granted they win both of their remaining regular season matches.

The Merimbula-Pambula Bulldogs junior, who made his debut in round three this year and has played every game since, said his body is coping well with the game-time and admits he favours the short turnarounds.

“It’s been a tough couple of days, we had two days of training in a row, one day off and then straight back into it but it’s been good in terms of preparation,” said Aitken.

“It was good to have a bit more of a break over the weekend with the long turnaround but I personally like getting straight back into the games and playing footy.

“It’s great that we can control our fate now with the next two games against the Titans and the Wests Tigers, so I’m keen to get out there.

“The Titans have some speed with James Roberts and Josh Hoffman at the back so we’re going to have to target them and control them.

“We’re only worried about our own fate, we’ve got two games to go and we need to win at least one of them but we want to win both so we need to get out there and do what we can to do that.

“The body is holding up well, I’m doing everything I can in recovery to make sure I’m good to go for every game.

“You always get the little niggling injuries but you’ve got to play tough every game and I’m keen to get out there for the Titans and hopefully we can get the win.”

[DIEHARD]

Head to Head - Elgey vs Marshall
http://www.titans.com.au

A big part of Kane Elgey’s NRL apprenticeship is the experience of coming up against the best halves in the game – and that he does on Sunday when he goes heads to head with Kiwi international and 2010 Golden Boot winner Benji Marshall.

Marshall has been outstanding for the Dragons this year, and much of their attack comes from him. He is second only to Johnathan Thurston in try assists in the NRL (25) and in the top five with line break assists (15). He may have slowed a little in pace but his bag of tricks is still extensive.

However, Elgey is quickly coming of age and his performance against the Raiders last Sunday - when he was without Aidan Sezer and lost Greg Bird in the opening minutes – was excellent when he had to be the dominant organiser on the field.

The result was his sixth try of the season (in 14 games), a major role in three other tries and a 40-20. He has progressed well this season and takes on a big responsibility again this Sunday – as a young Benji Marshall did with the Tigers in his debut season of 2003.

Head out to the game on Sunday (4pm kick-off) and watch them go head to head. Click here to buy your tickets online.

[shamus]

Kalifa Faifai Loa on bench, Nene Macdonald moved to wing and Brad Tighe coming in to Centre.

[Mexican titan]

I know the club is short staffed but the marketing of this game has been tragic. Look at Newy who market the last home game of the year and get over 20k despite their lowly position.
We have a number of blokes leaving and at other clubs they make a big deal about blokes playing their last home game. I know most people are happy to see Myles move on but there are blokes like Ridgey who have given plenty who are leaving and should be recognised on the day. If retiring blokes can be given a lap of honour on Grand Final day surely the club can do a few things and try and get a few more through the gate. The club might have something arranged but if so it is a well kept secret and all I have seen and heard is the same style advert in the Bully and the same predictable adds on the radio.
Even just slashing entry prices for the last home game. Something. Anything.

[JunctionBlock]

Titans marketing has always been poor in my opinion. They rely on the 11000 or so "members" emails they gathered through cheap ticketing to get them over the line. Unfortunately emails are easy to just hit delete without reading. SeaFm shouldn't have a monopoly on the Titans either. Better local radio stations out there with announcers that actually love footy (Hot Tomato - Luke Bradnam). Canvas schools and the largest local JRL membership in Australia. Plenty of JRL teams out there not playing finals this year that could quite easily be targeted for free tickets for break up parties etc.

[DIEHARD]

Gold Coast Titans’ injuries so bad, they don’t even have a captain
http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/

THE Titans have already used 32 players this year and their run of injuries is so bad that coach Neil Henry admits he has not decided who will *captain the team on Sunday.

With two games remaining, this is the most players the Titans have used since they were forced to call on 33 players when they won the wooden spoon in 2011.

Regular captains Ryan James, Greg Bird and Nate Myles are all unlikely to play. If Myles is out because of a thumb injury, it will rob him of a home farewell and will also mean the Titans have to use a fourth captain, who will likely be workhorse prop Luke Douglas.
It has been a poor season for the Titans but they have been on the receiving end of awful injury luck.

The Broncos have used just 28 players this year, the Rabbitohs have only used 26 and the Roosters 24.

“Not sure yet. Haven’t got to that stage yet,” Henry said when asked who his captain would be.

“We would really like Nate to play. He has a great work*rate. He has a thumb guard on but he’s hoping to play.
“This is our last home game and we have had a couple of wins here lately. Manly getting beaten opens it up for the Dragons more and hopefully they have relaxed a little bit.

“They are in the finals now really. They can remove any doubt and consolidate a spot inside the eight (by winning)
.
“They are good defensive team. They control poss*ession. We need to get up into the 80s of possession percentage. They have won three of their last four and are building to having a crack at the *finals.

“The halves combine well together, change point of attack. Gareth Widdop has a good short kicking game and is elusive when he wants to run. He’s a talented player. They are a well balanced team.”

Today’s clash with the Dragons, who are almost guaranteed a finals place following Manly’s loss to the Roosters, will be a home farewell for several Titans, including Dave Taylor.

However, it is the club’s *future, Kane Elgey, that needs to fire for them to have any chance of winning. Elgey was sensational in the Titans’ upset win over Canberra last week and Henry said he did that while injured.

“We saw what Kane could do last week. He has skill,” Henry said.

“He was under duress last week with his hip but has freshened up this week.”

[Bayside Titan]

Turned into a great day today. Hope we get an ok crowd.

[TitanSam]

Beau Falloon to captain

[NSW Titan]

Beau Falloon to captain

David Mead should be captain in their absence

[Titan4Life]

Beau Falloon to captain

.........

Why are we such a dumb team?? We are putting a guy who is leaving at captain yet bench our best option, Douglas. What the hell?!

[DIEHARD]

OK Im ready for footy here.