Round 18: RAIDERS vs TITANS (2023)

[The Birdman]

I swear to god if we lose by <6 after the Fifita decision earlier

Ding ding ding. Hilariously Ricky was having a sook about the refs to Ennis and Lara Pitt at full time.

[willhelm]

Maybe we shouldn’t make people who’ve never played the game referees

[The Birdman]

Overall a good effort today from the boys despite a couple of disgraceful referee/bunker decisions leading to big point turnarounds against us.

I think we generally ran the game through the middle but just let ourselves down with our composure at times which is nothing new to us regular watchers.

We just don't play thinking football, particularly when we get put under fatigue. It's a real problem at this club. I was really disappointed with the effort from both Lofi and Kelly for the Timoko try.

We were all over the Raiders and because two space cadets clocked off completely we gave all the ascendency back to them with that try. I really hope Lenihan is drilling it into these guys that they've constantly got to be thinking and paying attention while they are on the field. You get taught in under 7's to play the whistle!

Also in the first half Isaac Liu drops the ball AND gives away a holding down penalty in the same tackle which leads to a try! That's awful from a club leader!

We fix those two brain fades up and Casey Badger doesn't go full ****** and we win this game comfortably. It really is a game of millimetres between a dominant victory and a tight loss at this level. Our team just needs to figure that out. Low footy IQ for days.

[Mini GF]

Today was a Mini GF. It was an opportunity for 3 in a row, get a tough away win and have credibility. We were ok for sure and the referees weren’t but nonetheless we needed this one and it’s a huge opportunity lost.
I hope I get to reappear again and declare another one.
Todays loss hurts a lot. Not sure I’ll get to post again until next season.
Mini GF’s are declared due to our situation, the opportunity and the challenge. They are hard to win.
I really want AJ to not be picked for QLD. We need him next week. Lose next week with the Coach already sacked and we could fall apart.

Anyway all the best and always love the teams of the beautiful little city.

[T0ken]

We wuz robbed

12 point differential there with the Fifita no try and the questionable ignoring of advantage becoming disadvantage

But the boys need to be smarter, we will always get the bum calls and dessy will get them the proper titans vs the league mentality next year

Let’s take the rest of the season to take stock of our paths forward. Alick in Liu out, surely a second rower like haas in and Stimson back to bench forward like he should be.

[gcboyz]

Fogarty was trying to run Fifita off the ball and then raised an arm in a shepherding motion. Professional foul or penalty try at least. What a total disgrace of a call.
Any NRL official who comes out in her defence deserves the scorn that will poured upon them.
Rugby League folklore will forever be peppered with a "Badger of a Decision"

[Boonarga]

Unfortunately the Origin teams are picked this week, so it looks like Lui will be in the team given that 3 of our forwards are gone. Or maybe this coach has some balls and will punt him anyway. The penalty after the drop was unforgivable.

[MaroonTitan]

Unfortunately the Origin teams are picked this week, so it looks like Lui will be in the team given that 3 of our forwards are gone. Or maybe this coach has some balls and will punt him anyway. The penalty after the drop was unforgivable.

That's right. We're seriously short of middles next week. Will Vuna or Mikaele be fit? One of them will have to play or we'll have to carry an extra back on the bench (unless Pahulu and Nikotemo get called up from Dev). Either way both Haas and Alick will have to be in the 17 next week and a great chance for Alick to do his stuff on the left edge.

I think JJ and Liu will start up front with Stimson starting at Right edge and Haas coming off the bench. Clark or Randall will start at lock with the other on the bench. Young Iszac should get plenty of minutes next week.

JC is an easy inclusion for Brimo. Sami comes back in for Jojo and he might be the 17th man if Mikaele/Vuna aren't fit to play or it has to be one of the kids. Either way, we'll be light on up front.

[Hail Sezer]

Mikaele is back and played for Burleigh yesterday

Vuna will still be suspended. Got into a proper fight in the game v Burleigh two weeks ago.

[MaroonTitan]

Mikaele is back and played for Burleigh yesterday

Vuna will still be suspended. Got into a proper fight in the game v Burleigh two weeks ago.

That's a relief. Good opportunities for a few fringe guys to show their wares next week.

[NZFan]

Watched this game on replay. I’ve long believed that there is fixing in the NRL and that call all but solidifies that view for me. There was no appeal from the Canberra players, Badger went looking for a reason not to award the try. The six again rule (which can be used without any scrutiny or appeal) essentially governs momentum now. Too often do the lesser teams get calls go against them at crucial times of the game.

Notwithstanding that rant, we need to find a way to have Jc and Aj on the field at the same time. 6min for Jc just isn’t enough. The more I watch AJ I’m convinced he’d be a better 6 than 1. He doesn’t actually play out the back of shape that well. His best moments come either on counter attack or when he’s around the ruck/down the short side. We wouldn’t lose much in kick returns with JC back there but I reckon we’d be a lot more potent in attack if AJ had his hands on the ball more often.

Unfortunately I think our seasons is done now. We have a very tough run home ahead of us.

[shamus]

Had the Fifita try stood, we would be sitting 5th instead of 10th..Some would say undeservedly but none the less 5th. Absolutely massive difference!

[Titanic Believer]

Bairstow stepping out of his crease and being run out. Shows even the experienced have brain explosions. That 12 point turn around by KP was the difference in the game.

[JunctionBlock]

Had the Fifita try stood, we would be sitting 5th instead of 10th..Some would say undeservedly but none the less 5th. Absolutely massive difference!

I'm convinced the NRL has a predefined idea of who they want in the 8 and it is totally based on viewership.

What happens today? Annesley comes out and defends Badger or says she got it wrong, nothing happens to her for any amount of time and we are 10th not 5th. Clubs should be able to fine the NRL for piss poor adjudication that costs them fans and sponsors.

[MaroonTitan]

This is fair comment on the Maroon Observer:

"The Titans lost a winnable game against the Raiders. With more ball and more metres, Gold Coast only needed to stop one of any of the eminently stoppable Canberra tries to win the game. Not conceding in the first minute of the game should go without saying. Plenty of Titans assigned themselves to escort duty (and didn’t even do that well) on a Jamal Fogarty kick while forgetting to actually compete for the ball, allowing Seb Kris to come down with it. Brian Kelly gesticulated to the referee as the referee correctly played advantage on a Khan-Pereira knock-on and Matthew Timoko receded into the distance.

After all that, and even though Kasey Badger incorrectly denied David Fifita a try before half time1, the game still could have been won in the last minute. With 25 seconds left on the clock, the Blue and Yellows go for a Tino hit-up, followed inexplicably by Verrills going right to Boyd who lets Randall die with the ball. When every single game-breaking Titan plays on the left, this is as inexcusable as it is a perfect demonstration of the Tans’ shortcomings. The Titans may be capable of playing a more settled style than Holbrook’s panic ball but until they start thinking, they’re always going to be outside looking in."

I'm sure this will be the gist of Jimmy's message to the boys this week. Accountability is key. Otherwise you just look like the English cricket team and keep losing, while blaming everyone else (the rule book for Starc's catch, the spirit of the game for Bairstow's dismissal - well make up your mind!).