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  1. #16

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    Im hoping a night game at home will provide some motivation for the boys. More favourable playing conditions too.

  2. #17
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    David Fifita is just the beginning of the war between Broncos and Titans
    https://www.theaustralian.com.au/

    David Fifita may be just the tip of the iceberg in the increasingly incendiary battle between Brisbane and Gold Coast as the Broncos brace for decisions from Titans targets Kotoni Staggs and emerging star Brendan Piakura over their respective futures.

    Staggs and Piakura are believed to be close to making calls on where they will play next season as they weigh up staying in Brisbane, moving to the Gold Coast or shifting to Sydney, where interest in both has been strong.

    Both are regarded as key pieces of Brisbane’s future and the last thing the Broncos can afford is to lose one or both. They remain quietly confident that they will stay, but that hasn’t stopped the Titans having a dip at the pair as they continue to strike at the heart of their near neighbours.

    Fifita was the biggest warning shot yet across the bow of the Broncos. The Queensland and Test forward made his premiership debut for the Titans on Saturday afternoon against the Warriors and while it may have been a tepid showing, it later emerged he had spent time in hospital in the lead-up dealing with an infection in his foot.

    The barnstorming backrower still ran for 110 metres but he lacked his usual punch and power. He will no doubt be better for the run and intent on proving a point against his former club and teammates when the Titans host Brisbane on Friday night.

    Fifita spent months mulling over his future, at one point apparently agreeing to stay in Brisbane only to change his mind and take up a multimillion-dollar deal with the Gold Coast. It was a sledgehammer blow to the Broncos.

    Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook has preached patience with his new recruits and you can understand why after watching them labour against the Warriors. For all the hype that has shadowed the club in the pre-season, the Broncos looked the more likely finalists as they gave Parramatta a fright at Suncorp Stadium.

    It was the first real sign that the Broncos have made progress under Walters and will no doubt help their cause as they valiantly attempt to convince Staggs and Piakura to remain in Brisbane, not to mention winger Xavier Coates and halfback Tom Dearden.

    Staggs also has big-money interest on the table from Canterbury, as does Piakura. It is hard to imagine either would have been impressed had they watched the Bulldogs get bashed by Newcastle on Friday night.

    Then again, the Titans were far from impressive in their loss to the Warriors while the Broncos had a red-hot go against Parramatta, but still couldn’t get across the line. Their cause against the Titans hasn’t been helped by injury — Matt Lodge will miss the game with a hamstring problem while Coates and John Asiata are in doubt.

    “I thought the Warriors were really good,” former Brisbane forward Gorden Tallis said on Triple M NRL.

    “The Titans didn’t lay the platform. It was 10 or 12 minutes before they gave their big signing David Fifita the ball.

    “There are some combinations they will be working on. They will need to be better on Friday night aghast the Broncos because the Broncos actually had a red-hot go against the Eels.

    “But to where they were last year, I think they are better.”

    Tallis also called for calm in relation to the performance of Fifita and fellow new recruit Tino Fa’asuamaleau. The pair have been cited as evidence of a shift in the power balance in southeast Queensland, where the Broncos have long been the dominant force.

    Yet the pendulum has swung back to the Gold Coast over the past 12 months and the Titans can make an emphatic statement with a win on Friday night. If that is to happen, Fa’asuamaleau and Fifita will need to be at their best.

    “Tino had 16 carries and 30-odd tackles,” Tallis said.

    “Dave Fifita at the end of the game had 15 carries or something like that. It was the way they’re used. That was the first time they have played with those guys.

    “Sometimes it takes time to strike up a combination — it took me 12 months when I went to Brisbane to strike up the combination.

    “Sometimes it can take longer than you think.”
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

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  3. #18
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    With Fogarty getting more of the ball than Ash, it would make sense to swap Fifita and Proctor around so that more ball can be given to Fafita and get him more carries of the football

  4. #19
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    Fogarty runs into the line and doesn’t give his second rower any time with the ball though whereas Taylor gives early ball. I’d be keeping them the same but telling Taylor to demand more ball. When it goes to the right Fogarty needs to play out the back more rather than hitting Proctor every time as well.

  5. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by NZFan View Post
    Fogarty runs into the line and doesn’t give his second rower any time with the ball though whereas Taylor gives early ball. I’d be keeping them the same but telling Taylor to demand more ball. When it goes to the right Fogarty needs to play out the back more rather than hitting Proctor every time as well.
    Tell 'em coach

  6. #21

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    I still don’t understand why Fifita and Proctor swapped sides after spending all of the preseason and the trials with Fifita on the right? And then to go to Proctor like 10 times in the first half for absolutely no impact but Fifita only 3 or 4

  7. #22
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    Titans v Broncos: Lodge to miss Queensland derby
    https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/03/15/...ensland-derby/

    It's fair to say the Broncos exceeded expectations in their first game under Kevin Walters while the Titans failed to live up to the hype they carried into round one.

    Brisbane burst out of the blocks to lead Parramatta 16-0 at half-time but were run down late as injuries and fatigue took their toll.

    The form of Anthony Milford at five-eighth was a huge bonus for Walters while Patrick Carrigan and Thomas Flegler were also strong.

    In contrast, the Titans were held to just one try in a 19-6 loss to the Warriors and will need to find some cohesion quickly if they want to avoid a repeat of last year's 0-2 start to the season.

    Titans: No injury issues reported after the disappointing loss to the Warriors. Star second-rower David Fifita overcame an ankle infection and two days in hospital to play 70 minutes in round one and still make 13 runs so he'll be more dangerous this week with an uninterrupted preparation.

    Broncos: Xavier Coates (neck) and John Asiata (neck/shoulder) both trained on Monday after tests cleared them of any serious damage. Jesse Arthars is due back from an ankle injury and could come into the backline if Coates doesn't come up. Dale Copley (throat) is also due back. Prop Matt Lodge is expected to miss 2-3 weeks after scans confirmed a low-grade hamstring injury and Thomas Flegler looks the likely replacement after a powerful display off the bench in round one.

    Key match-up
    Anthony Milford v Ash Taylor: Both men have copped plenty of criticism over the years for failing to steer their teams around the paddock and lacking consistency but on their day they can be electrifying. If the Titans are to challenge the big guns in 2021 then this is the sort of game they should be winning and Taylor needs to take control. Milford launched his season with some great touches against Parramatta and he's a dangerous oppponent when he's on song.

    Stat attack
    In his first game in the NRL since 2017, David Mead ran for a team high 191 metres against the Eels and had two line breaks and three tackle breaks. Mead's ,metre-eating efforts outstripped powerhouse Parra duo Maika Sivo (130 metres) and Blake Ferguson (181 metres).
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
    TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER

  8. #23
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    Jamal Fogarty takes pressure off Fa'asuamaleaui and Fifita after round one loss to the Warriors
    https://www.sportingnews.com/

    After a big finish to 2020 and a couple of big name signings, there's been more pressure on the Gold Coast Titans heading into the new season than ever before.

    But it didn't quite come together for Justin Holbrook's side on Saturday afternoon.

    Instead it was the Warriors' new recruits Addin Fonua-Blake and Bayley Sironen soaking up the plaudits after a 19-6 win on the Central Coast.

    New Titans signings Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and David Fifita were largely kept quiet by an aggressive Warriors defensive output, while Fonua-Blake ran for a whopping 202 metres and Sironen scored the opening try of the afternoon.

    Questions have been asked about Fa'asuamaleaui and Fifita after their off-season moves, but Titans halfback Jamal Fogarty says it's up to the rest of the team to aim up.

    “We’ve got 13 players, we can’t just rely on Dave and Tino to do things,” Fogarty said on Monday.

    “At the back end of last year, everyone was playing their role. We’ve just gotta get Dave and Tino to be themselves.

    “Everyone else has to lift their standards, we can’t just rely on those guys.”

    Rather than let his forwards take the blame, Fogarty said he and five-eighth Ash Taylor need to take more control.

    "That starts with us in the halves," he said.

    "That’s good from Tino trying to bring the other boys with him with that aggression. I think we need to jump on the back of that, support him, and make sure he’s feeling comfortable and everyone’s going with him.

    "We can’t let Tino do that by himself. It’s gotta be a 13-man job on the field.

    “We (in the halves) were a bit frantic. We had a fair bit of ball but were a bit frantic and not sticking to our structure.

    “We’ve just gotta make sure we’re finding our spots a lot more. We weren’t really finding our spots and were making stuff up on the run and we haven’t been doing that all preseason.

    “We’ve been communicating well and making sure we’re on the same page, but on game day we didn’t do that.”

    With plenty of talk around the new rules after the first round of the season, Fogarty said the Titans took too long to adapt to the subtle changes the Warriors played with.

    “It was pretty fast and end to end in the first 20 minutes,” he said.

    “We definitely didn’t adjust to the pace. That’s probably down to me in the halves not recognising the speed of the game.

    “I’ve gotta make sure we’re sticking with it.

    “We were probably playing a little bit too deep and the Warriors capitalised on that. They started tight through the middle. It probably took until the 60th minute to realise we needed to play a lot tighter and flatter around the ruck.”

    The Titans play the Broncos at CBUS Super Stadium on Friday night after Brisbane gave up a 16-0 first half lead to the Eels in round one.
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
    TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER

  9. #24
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    How refreshing to have some well-articulated accountability without cliche's from a captain.

  10. #25
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    Flying wingers a key matchup as Thompson meets Mead
    https://www.titans.com.au/news/2021/...on-meets-mead/

    One is a current Titans fan favourite, the other a former.

    Corey Thompson and David Mead will do battle on the wing this week in the Macca's Local Derby, with both looking to add to their try tally at Cbus Super Stadium.

    Thompson shone in the Titans round one clash against the Warriors, with the winger scoring a try and involved in creating plenty of attacking opportunities.

    The 30-year-old ran for 204 metres with 2 line breaks and 3 tackle breaks in a game that saw him heavily involved.

    “I just wanted to get involved in the first game of the year,” Thompson said.

    “I made a silly error but that is easily fixed and other than that I thought I played well and I’m looking to build for next week.”

    On track to play his 100th game in round nine, Thompson has had his first full pre-season on the Gold Coast after joining the team midway through 2020.

    In this seventh season in the NRL, Thompson will be looking to establish a strong combination with Brian Kelly on the left side for the Titans this year.

    Mead also had a strong start to 2021, also scoring a try and running for 191 metres in the Broncos first up performance against the Eels.

    The 33-year-old returns to the NRL this season after three years playing for Catalans in the Super League.

    He had one year at the Broncos before heading overseas, but Titans fans will remember Mead well – he had 8 seasons at the Titans.

    In those 8 years, he played 147 games and scored 67 tries for the Gold Coast and sits only behind Anthony Don as the Club’s leading try scorer.

    It’ll be a return home to mead as he runs out onto Cbus Super Stadium, this time as the opposition rather than to be cheered on by the Titans Legion.

    Both wingers bring a stack of experience and judging by their starts to 2021, they’ll be ones to watch in the Macca's Local Derby this Friday night.
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
    TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER

  11. #26
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    Kelly blow, Fifita back in training
    https://www.titans.com.au/

    Titans reigning Paul Broughton Medalist Brian Kelly has sustained a hand injury after a hot and humid first hit out against the Warriors on the weekend, while David Fifita is back in full training after an infection interrupted his training preparation in the lead up to round 1.

    Titans High Performance Manager Klint Hore said the team pulled up generally well after a round 1 clash played in hot and humid conditions.

    "There are a lot of bumps and bruises after a physical game with the Warriors, plus the heat and the humidity was over 74%," Hore said.

    "It was tough conditions but the Warriors played in that as well.

    "The boys are now rehydrated, we travelled yesterday back from Sydney, today was recovery day and review day and then we are in a short turnaround until we play the Broncos."

    Unfortunately the Gold Coast side did sustain one serious injury - to strike centre, Brian Kelly.

    "The one that we do have concern of is Brian Kelly," said Hore.

    "In the match he sustained a fracture to the right hand.

    "He will have probably a three-week return to play program now."

    With Kelly now out it will open up the left centre position for the Local Derby against the Brisbane Broncos this Friday.

    Unfortunately one man who won't come into reckoning is Greg Marzhew as he still recovers from a triceps injury sustained in the last trail, playing for the Burleigh Bears.

    "Greg Marzhew sustained tricep injury two weeks ago now and he is on the recovery and should be available for Round 2 of the Intrust Super Cup," said Hore.

    In some good news for Titans fans, Dave Fifita is now back to 100% fitness and able to train fully with the squad ahead of his first game against his old club, the Brisbane Broncos, this Friday night.

    "David Fifita is fine now - he had a skin infection leading into the game against the Warriors.

    "He spent a couple of nights in hospital...and he is in full health now and ready to go for the game against the Broncos, his old team."
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
    TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER

  12. #27

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    Ffs Kelly out hurts, especially if Marzhew isn’t available. What do we think the change will be? Sami at centre or Spry?

  13. #28
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    Sami direct in for Kelly

  14. #29
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    Kelly out really hurts

  15. #30
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    Happy with our depth when we have someone like Phillip Sami to slot right in. I think that earlier ball to Fifita and a more expansive attack will be enough for me on Friday.
    Last edited by NZTITAN; 15-03-21 at 05:55 PM.


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