Titans Take First Step

[Kiwigal]

A BEAMING John Cartwright was delighted with the Gold Coast's return to top-flight league last night, despite his Titans losing their first match back from the NRL wilderness.

The young Titans lost 32-6 to a near full-strength Melbourne, but the score was a poor reflection on a hard-fought contest.

It was a courageous showing from a vastly under-strength Gold Coast side.

The explosive feud over winger Steve Turner failed to ignite, with

both sides getting on with the task of playing football without any niggle between Turner and the team he rejected.

The Storm led only 12-6 at halftime and it wasn't until the 60th minute that last year's minor premiers put the pedal down and ran in four late tries against a Titans side made up largely of development players.

Only a handful of the Titans players who took to the field last night will be on hand for the club's first premiership match against St George Illawarra at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, March 18, so league followers would be wrong to think last night's scoreline was a "back to the bad old days" result for the Coast.

"I'd give them 10 for effort," Cartwright said.

"Those guys have had only five sessions together with the ball, so it was a little disjointed.

"But all we wanted was to give those guys a chance to show what they've got.

"I thought it was a fantastic foundation to be honest.

"It was still 12-6 with 20 minutes to go and we got out of it what we wanted to get out of it.

"There were a couple of soft tries early and the boys were a little shell-shocked, but they steadied the ship.

"It was really good to get that first one out of the way, and those guys on the sideline who will be playing next week. You could see them jumping out of their skin, so it got them in the right frame of mind for next week."

The Gold Coast will welcome a host of its stars for Saturday night's trial against Parramata in Lismore with captain Scott Prince, Luke Bailey, Mat Rogers, Preston Campbell, Luke O'Dwyer and Anthony Laffranchi all set to make their first outing in Titans colours.

Melbourne superstar Greg Inglis conceded he had a long way to go before he mastered the five-eighth position after making his debut in the No.6 jersey.

Inglis struggled to make a significant impact on last night's match, despite spending the off-season trying to acclimatise to the pivot position.

He switched back to fullback late in the first half and spent the entire third-quarter off the field.

"It was a whole different new role and the only way you learn is by playing it," Inglis said.

"I just have to adapt more into playing the role."

MELBOURNE 32 (Chambers 2, Johnson, Quinn, Tagataese, Slater tries; Smith 4 goals) d GOLD COAST 6 (Walker try; Walker goal). Crowd: 10,000 at Coffs Harbour

THE SUNDAY MAIL

[Old Diehard]

GREAT NEWS! The praise from John Cartwight to his players and his rating of 10 points for effort was especially pleasing to read..

Common lets hear from you guys that made the effort to go see the game! Big points for that too!

[travop]

thats pretty gud for only five training sessions with the ball'
give cartwright australian of the year

[GojuFreak]

haha i posted this in the other thread but, yeah they have potential and im going to be a keen supporter cant wait till the other players join there squad!!! Im gettin excited

[Queenslander]

This has already been posted in the relevant game thread.

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