All we need is a half's pairing that can adequately do the job they are expected to do. I just hope Sexton does what he does in QCup and kicks the bejesus out of the ball into good position.
Does anybody want to answer my previous question about AJ's ability to talk our defensive line into position? Any comments?
Four reasons to escape to Queensland: Sun, Surf, Sand & the Titans.
Haven't been so stoked for a lineup in ages. Getting to see a new half in Toby Sexton and also seeing Marzhew and Thompson as our starting wingers, we might be able to get out of our red zone for once.
Lol even Travis Meyn has a savage take on Fogs:
Taken from here: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...a8f4cc04ab5614
Last edited by Hail Sezer; 20-07-21 at 04:58 PM.
Let's hope that Thompson plays on his customary left and Marzhew back on the right but very happy to see those two in front of everybody else.
Four reasons to escape to Queensland: Sun, Surf, Sand & the Titans.
Great to see Marzhew selected. Admittedly haven't seen much of Sexton in QCUP.
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
Sexton’s chance to prove his worth
http://www.gcbulletin.com.au
TITANS fans will get a glimpse of the future when the player awarded the richest rookie contract in Gold Coast history makes his NRL debut this weekend.
Young gun Toby Sexton will pull on a Titans jersey for the first time in Sunday’s clash against St George Illawarra at Cbus Super Stadium.
Sexton is expected to replace injured halfback Jamal Fogarty (finger) for the crucial game, while five-eighth Ash Taylor must also pass concussion protocols to take his place in the team.
Sexton, 20, is a product of Gold Coast league nursery Palm Beach Currumbin and played in the 2019 Australian Schoolboys team alongside NRL sensations Reece Walsh (Warriors), Sam Walker (Roosters and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Cowboys).
The Titans rate Sexton so highly they recently extended his contract until the end of 2024, with the final two years of the deal worth close to a combined $1 million.
The contract extension and upgrade was a huge show of faith for a player yet to feature in the NRL.
Sexton’s development stalled last year when the Intrust Super Cup was abandoned after one round due to Covid, but he has dominated the competition for Tweed Heads in 2021 to prove he is ready for the NRL.
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
NRL.com Preview: Dragons v Titans: Norman out, mass changes; Rookie half to debut
NRL.com
This game looms as a golden opportunity for one of these clubs to right the ship after both endured a week to forget last round.
The Dragons are still reeling from (and feeling the effects of) a biosecurity breach that resulted in 12 players receiving suspensions, on top of last week's humbling 32-18 loss to a Manly side missing Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans.
The Titans, meanwhile, have lost four of their past five games, including a 26-8 thumping at the hands of Parramatta last Friday.
Yet both clubs remain in top-eight contention, and victory here could be a springboard towards better days ahead in the race towards the finals.
Team news
Dragons: Corey Norman has been tabbed to serve his COVID breach suspension with rookie Jayden Sullivan taking over five-eighth duties for his first start of the season.
Matt Dufty, Tyrell Fuimaono and Kaide Ellis return after serving their bans against Manly but only Dufty has returned to the starting line-up, pushing Tyrell Sloan to the extended bench, with Fuimaono on the interchange and Ellis in reserves.
Ben Hunt is the only player to retain his spot in a major reshuffle of the backline. In addition to the return of Dufty and omission of Norman, Cody Ramsey and Gerard Beale move from wing to centre, Jack Bird goes from centre to second row, winger Mathew Feagai (ankle) returns from injury for his first game since debuting in round nine and Brayden Wiliame drops out of the squad.
But the changes don't end there. Jack de Belin goes from front row to the interchange, Josh Kerr shifts from the second row to take over at prop, Josh McGuire moves from the bench to lock, and Jackson Ford drops out of the squad.
Finally, last week's 18th man Adam Clune takes Billy Burns' place on the bench.
Titans: Winger Phillip Sami (ankle), halfback Jamal Fogarty (hand) and hooker Erin Clark (elbow) have been lost to injuries suffered in the heavy defeat to Parramatta.
Rookie halfback Toby Sexton has been named to make his debut in place of Titans skipper Fogarty, Greg Marzhew returns from the casualty ward to take Sami's spot and veteran dummy-half Mitch Rein steps in for Clark.
Origin prop Mo Fotuaika wins back his starting spot which sees Jaimin Jolliffe return to the interchange.
Match: Dragons v Titans
ROUND 19 - SUNDAY 25TH JULY
Key match-up
David Fifita v Tariq Sims: Fifita has had a rollercoaster season in his first year as a Titan, scoring nine tries in his first seven games – an astounding run for a forward – before a dip in form that led to him spending time on the bench in both his past two Titans games (he still scored tries in each).
Sims, meanwhile, made the most of a surprise selection in the NSW starting side for Origin I with a standout performance, and looms as a key man for the Dragons in the run home. Whichever edge back-rower makes a bigger impact here could swing the tide of this contest.
Stat attack
While David Fifita may have had his issues in defence this season there's no denying his impact in attack. His 115 tackle breaks in 14 games is by far and away the most in the league, and his average of 8.2 per game has been matched just once by any player in the past seven seasons (by James Tedesco in his Dally M-winning 2017 campaign).
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
Originally Posted by Titans
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
Originally Posted by Titans
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
Appears to be no discount for members, even though I appreciate that it is not a Titans "home' Game. $60 per ticket in the decent seats. Nup, they are kidding.