Titans vs Dragons- Rd 1 2007

[DIEHARD]

Bailey looks to titanic start

GOLD Coast recruit Luke Bailey is keen to show former St George-Illawarra teammates "who is boss" when the clubs collide in the opening round of 2007.

NRL boss David Gallop was on the Gold Coast yesterday for the official release of the opening round of the 2007 premiership.

The full draw will be released next week.

Premier Brisbane will open proceedings on Friday, March 16, in a derby against North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium.

The stadium will also host the Titans' first appearance against the Dragons on the Sunday.

Bailey chalked up 119 appearances for the Dragons, and he is anxious to lock horns with his former teammates.

"I have never been in the position of taking on a whole team of blokes I know, who are all trying to take my head off," Bailey said from the Titans' orientation camp.

"I am really excited by it. It's always a challenge taking on your former team and I suppose it is nice to get it out of the way early in the year.

"A lot of the blokes down there are lifelong friends. I think most of them think they have got my measure these days, so hopefully I can get out there and show them who's boss."

Round one will give fans and officials their first taste of the new four-day weekend schedule, with two Friday night games and the reintroduction of Monday night football.

Melbourne will host Wests Tigers in the second match of Friday night's double-header, with traditional rivals Sydney Roosters and South Sydney squaring off on Monday night at Aussie Stadium.

It will be the first time Queensland will host the official launch of premiership season, with Gallop saying the big week of rugby league north of the Tweed recognised the importance of Queensland, which will also host two State of Origin matches in 2007.

"As reigning premiers it's only appropriate that the Broncos should officially kick off the season against the Cowboys, who have emerged as not only a great Queensland rival but a premiership force," Gallop said.

"Queensland's hugely important to us, not only for the NRL competition but we all know the importance of Origin.

"Next year we'll have two games in Brisbane of Origin footy so there's so much for rugby league fans to look forward to."

Titans managing director Michael Searle denied suggestions that he had lobbied to have Gold Coast open the season, saying the logistics of a Sunday afternoon game in Brisbane suited fans of the new club far better than Friday night, with the move away from the regular base at Carrara necessary to accommodate an anticipated big crowd.

Carrara has a capacity around 17,000 compared with Suncorp's 52,500.

"With families having to travel for 40 minutes or an hour to get to Suncorp Stadium, the idea of a Friday night match didn't suit us and I couldn't be happier with the way things have panned out," Searle said.

"From our perspective, the Dragons are a side steeped in history with a huge supporter base in southeast Queensland and we are confident of getting a big roll out for our first game.

"It should be a wonderful spectacle and a great test for the team. The Dragons are one of the most powerful clubs in the competition, so it will be a good to see where we stand."

Officials from the Broncos and Titans are confident fans will turn out in droves for both matches, with crowd figures expected to easily exceed 80,000 for the two games.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/

[DIEHARD]

Michael Searle is correct when he says Sunday suits us alot better. Gives our fans enough time to travel to Brissie.

[Future Star]

Dragons eh. A potent enemy. Can't wait to crush them beneath our iron clad boots and grind them into the dirt. I hate the Dragons.

Yeh.....do you have anger problems?

[Grimmace]

Yeh.....do you have anger problems?

Hes passionate about the GC like most of us are ( PSYCHHHH UP) and he wants to see the GC Do well on their first outing.

Whats the old saying Make a good first impression as it will be the last

[Steve]

Just make sure you get your seats on the home team side of the stadium, the away team side has the sun straight into their eyes.

Can't wait for it!

[fi64]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first time posting in this forum. I was wondering if anyone know when and where tickets for the Titans first game against SG will be available???
I was hoping to get some as Xmas presents ,as all our family are converting to the Titans from numerous other clubs (including SG!! should be interesting!!).
Can anyone help me ? Thanks!

[Grimmace]

First off welcome to the forums like you th GC will be my first team havent really gotten into a team since the Bears.

On the Ticket Issues nothing has been realeased just yet but id imagine something will be realeased to the fans shortly.

[fi64]

Thanks for that...I will keep watching and hopefully they will let us know soon!

[DIEHARD]

Yes I do.

[jenny]

Yes I do.

[Steel Dragon]

A dream come true, my old team vs my new team in Brissy. I'll be there with bells on.

Jason

[DIEHARD]

The huge event of the Gold Coast's first game as well as the large Dragons support in SEQLD and those that travel promises to be a HUGE crowd.

I reckon this special event will also encourage more Dragons fans than usual to make the journey.

[Steelers]

I will be there, there is no doubt about it! Bring this game on already, the suspense is killing me!

[DIEHARD]

If the Gold Coast win this one, first up it will be instant credibility. And scores of fans will throw their support behind us.

At least people will realise we aren't any pretend team, once we dispose of Illawarra.

[Saint_Titan]

Might be good to note that Saints have not won the 1st game of their season in over 5 years...smart move by Titans picking them knowing saints usually come out o the blocks slow.