Round 2: DRAGONS vs TITANS (2023)

[DIEHARD]

NRL: Dragons v Titans: Bird in, de Belin out; Foran firming to play
https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/03/06/...oran-in-doubt/

The Dragons will look to hit the ground running after a round one bye but they face a stiff test against a Titans team that opened their season in style at Leichhardt Oval.

Having missed the finals for the past four seasons, the Dragons must get away to a good start and then find the consistency that eluded them for much of 2022 until they finished the year with three wins on the trot.

One of those victories came against the Titans at WIN Stadium in round 23 when they piled on 46 points, their highest score of the season.

The Titans were able to regroup and win their final two matches before carrying that momentum into the Pre-Season Challenge where they put 40 points on the Dolphins and then the season opener against Wests Tigers (22-10).

With star signing Kieran Foran feeding David Fifita on the left edge and fullback AJ Brimson ever present in support, the Titans' attack looked sharp and they will fancy their chances against a Dragons defence that leaked 72 points in its two Pre-Season Challenge games.

The Dragons will again rely heavily on skipper Ben Hunt to provide direction and calmness in attack and Tyrell Sloan and Mat Feagai to bring spark out wide.

Team News
Dragons: Jack Bird has recovered from a knee injury and will start at lock but Jack de Belin (calf) remains sidelined. Skipper Ben Hunt is partnered in the halves by youngster Jayden Sullivan with veteran Moses Mbye slotting in at hooker and Jacob Liddle coming off the bench. Teenager Toby Couchman will make his NRL debut off the bench, alongside Zane Musgrove, Michael Molo and Liddle. The NRL confirmed on Tuesday that the No-Fault Stand Down Condition no longer applies to Talatau Amone and he has been added to the Dragons' extended bench.

Titans: Kieran Foran is firming as a likely starter after it was revealed he only sustained a severe cork, rather than a PCL and MCL injury as originally feared in last week's win over Wests Tigers. Justin Holbrook has plenty of options should Foran not be available, with AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell in the 17 while Toby Sexton has been named among the reserves and could come in.

Stat Attack

• The Dragons have won three of their past four games at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
• Dragons winger Mat Feagai has scored four tries in five games at Netstrata Jubilee.
• Titans centre Phillip Sami has scored three tries in three games at Kogarah.
• The Titans had the fifth most tackle breaks in the NRL in 2022 behind big guns the Sharks, Panthers, Storm and Roosters. The Titans had 882 tackle breaks compared to the Dragons' 751.
• Dragons centre Zac Lomax requires five goals to bring 200 career goals in the NRL.

[Titslover]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CpmWN7Tp...d=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Horny stuff boys

[gotitans101_]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CpmWN7Tp...d=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Horny stuff boys

idk i'm still not 100% convinced.

[Titslover]

idk i'm still not 100% convinced.

he’s playing, guarantee it

[RavShamrock]

Foran is a simple equation at this stage of the season...if there is ANY DOUBT he doesn't play
We can beat the Dragons without the risk IMO.

[Titslover]

Foran is a simple equation at this stage of the season...if there is ANY DOUBT he doesn't play
We can beat the Dragons without the risk IMO.

Is there even any risk of re-injuring/further damaging a cork? Blue shirt means starting side, yellow means bench/reserves so he’s playing

[AliDavysStep]

Saw quite a bit of strapping on Dave’s forearm in training, anyone know what the issue might be?

[DIEHARD]

Foran's tenacity why Holbrook will make fitness call
https://www.titans.com.au/news/2023/...-fitness-call/

If Kieran Foran had to determine if he was fit to play this weekend, there'd be no point asking the question.

Because the answer would be a resounding yes, without any doubt whatsoever.

It's why Justin Holbrook will make the final call on the experienced playmaker's fitness ahead of the Titans' Round 2 clash against the Dragons, but the 263-game veteran is expected to be right in a great boost for the team.

"It'll have to be me [who makes the decision] because if it's him, he'll definitely play... but as long as he can run okay, he'll play" he said.

"He's proven his whole career and the short time I've had with him how determined he is as a player and with his character, so as long as he's right to play, he'll play."

The Titans coach will need as much experience as he has on hand to help shutdown the well-rested Dragons who had a bye in week one, with International No. 7 Ben Hunt identified as their biggest threat to pose a risk upon the first-up winners.

"He's a world-class halfback who controls games really well and we we weren't in control of last week's game at any stage really," Holbrook said.

"We have to make sure that we're playing our part in having our say in the game as well rather than being on the back foot and we can't afford to give Ben Hunt those sort of opportunities.

"Obviously, they're fresh and they would have really not liked having the bye in Round 1... no one would have wanted to sit out but it means they'll be fresh and very determined.

"Them getting talked about probably only helps their motivation, so we've got to make sure we're pretty determined and go about it like we did last week down there on Sunday."

Having now won three games in a row and with the prospect of sitting top of the table should the Gold Coast get the job done at Kogarah, Holbrook is hoping for back-to-back wins to start the season, especially whilst on the road.

"It's only early [to be looking at the ladder], but back-to-back wins would be great, especially both away from home," he said.

"We just want to play well and give ourselves every chance.

"We're really happy with our pre-season, the trial games and Round 1, but we have a long way to go... it's only Round 2, but back-to-back wins will be great."

Be there and help weather the Storm as the Titans face Melbourne in Round 3 - get your tickets today!

[DIEHARD]

Locked in: Titans make call on Foran for Dragons derby
https://www.titans.com.au/news/2023/...dragons-derby/

Kieran Foran has overcome a severe cork to his knee and will start in Sunday's Round 2 clash against the Dragons in Sydney.

Whilst initially thought to be an injury that would sideline the experienced playmaker for a number of weeks, scans on Monday evening revealed the full extent which has allowed the 263-gamer to rehab appropriately and be ready for this weekend.

Foran gave fans plenty of confidence throughout the week, suggesting he was 'firming by the minute' to play on an interview with Triple M's Rush Hour on Thursday and the 32-year-old trained without incident at both Friday's main opposed session and Saturday's captain's run which puts him in good stead for the Sunday night showdown at Kogarah.

The remainder of the squad is unchanged at this stage with Klese Haas, Keano Kini and Toby Sexton all cut from the extended bench - the trio remaining in Queensland to play in the season-opening round of the Hostplus Cup for their respective clubs.

Chris Randall and Treymain Spry remain in the 19 and have made the trip to Sydney with the rest of the team.

Kick-off is at 5.15pm AEST on Sunday, live on Fox League and Kayo Sports.

[RavShamrock]

Is there even any risk of re-injuring/further damaging a cork? Blue shirt means starting side, yellow means bench/reserves so he’s playing

Maybe we've learnt how to bamboozle our next opponents as even I'm confused with "corked Knee"...funny term.

[DIEHARD]

THE FRONT ROW: 2023 NRL Round 2 match programme
https://leagueunlimited.com/assets/U...f?d=1678259715

Our game is page 18

[Titanic Believer]

Mini GF Broncos and Dolphins setting the Qld pace against good sides. We need to keep up against lower ranked teams.

[Coxy1]

It's going to be a tough day for the lads with Jimmy out!

[Titslover]

It's going to be a tough day for the lads with Jimmy out!

Jimmy?

[Coxy1]

Jimmy?

Jolliffe