Round 12: Gold Coast Titans vs Canberra Raiders

[Future Star]

And Purtell.

Origin Bolter people, you heard it here first.

:test:

[Capital_Shark]

And Purtell.

Origin Bolter people, you heard it here first.

:test:

Provided you ignore Schifty and yourself mentioning it in the Origin thread, of course..

[Tamwelg]

Mate...you're going to end up as anti-matter if you don't get rid of that little guy running across your massages.

Good call.

[Tamwelg]

Glad Kahler is on the bench this week. The signing of Lewis has drawn attention from his 5/8 qualities.

I'm not a huge fan of Kahler's myself and I think he will struggle to keep his spot on the bench with a lot due back from injury after the bye. He isn't a bad player, but he is very predictable and doesn't have enough size.

[Future Star]

Provided you ignore Schifty and yourself mentioning it in the Origin thread, of course..

Well...

you heard on the titans forums first!

also, Withers For Emperor :test:
(read the Origin thread to know what im on about)

[lonegull]

I'm not a huge fan of Kahler's myself and I think he will struggle to keep his spot on the bench with a lot due back from injury after the bye. He isn't a bad player, but he is very predictable and doesn't have enough size.

cant agree more, he gets smashed everytime he runs, got a big heart though but lacks a bit of size and i dont think i have seen him offload yet

[Steel Dragon]

I think we should smack 'em, but you just never know with the Raiders. They're a reall Jeckyl and Hyde team.

Jason

[patskE]

Webster expecting kick test from Raiders

Thursday, May 31, 2007 - 8:18 PM

Gold Coast winger Jake Webster expects Canberra to launch an aerial assault on the Titans' back three in Sunday's NRL clash at Carrara.

The Titans have noted the resurgent Raiders have scored about half their tries from kicks this season and are preparing for an all-out attack from the boots of halves Terry Campese and Michael Dobson.

Webster said the pressure will be heaped on himself, fellow winger Matt Petersen and fullback Richie Mathers to handle any pinpoint kicks near their own line.

"They're scoring a lot of tries off their kicks so that puts the pressure on me, Richie and Matty P," the Kiwi international said.

"We've done a lot of video work this week and work out on the field and we're pretty confident we can defuse a lot of their kicks."

Dropped after the Titans' round-nine loss to Sydney Roosters on May 13, Webster is back in first-grade following a hamstring injury to his flatmate Smith Samau.

A wrist injury prevented Webster from playing for Ipswich in the Queensland Cup last week but he's prepared to deal with the pain to take on the Raiders, who are in seventh spot following back-to-back victories over Souths and St George Illawarra.

Asked what it was like to play for New Zealand in April and then get relegated to the state league, Webster replied: "It was tough but it was more a kick up the butt than a kick in the guts.

"I know that I'm good enough to be playing here and I've just got to get back to the form of last year (playing for Melbourne)."

Webster said he was more relaxed this week and enjoying training.

"My attitude around the place is a bit more positive and I'm starting to enjoy myself a bit more," the 23-year-old said.

"That's a big thing in my game - I have to enjoy myself.

"I was worrying too much about doing something wrong and then you don't want to back that up by doing something else wrong.

"You become very wary of what you do and how you do it.

"Now it's head down, bum up, work hard and just be positive in everything I do."

Titans centre Brett Delaney trained strongly on Thursday and showed no ill-effects from the concussion he suffered due to Jaiman Lowe's punch which earned the Rabbitohs prop a four-week suspension.

"He's pretty chirpy," said coach John Cartwright.

"He's only worried about his looks now so he'll be alright."
Source: AAP

[patskE]

Raiders have plenty to prove: Dobson

Thursday, May 31, 2007 - 4:36 PM

Pre-season wooden spoon favourites Canberra are sitting pretty in the NRL's top eight after eleven rounds, but halfback Michael Dobson says they still have plenty to prove to their doubters.

The Raiders have won three of their last four games to move to seventh spot, where they sit ahead of a stack of teams which were tipped to shine in 2007 including premiers Brisbane, the Bulldogs, Penrith and New Zealand Warriors.

But despite their early-season form, the Raiders are still well in the wooden spoon market - although St George Illawarra have firmed into favouritism for the dreaded gong.

And while Dobson, 21, believes the Raiders may not be getting the credit they deserve, he admits their form so far is nothing to crow about.

"People are going to have their opinions and we've just got to prove them wrong," Dobson said.

"But that comes with winning football games.

"We're very confident in our ability and not too worried about what other people say, so we'll just keep going about our own business.

"It's a bit of a boost (being in the top eight), but there is only four points between last and fourth so you can't get too complacent and you've got to keep winning week in, week out or you'll find yourself down the bottom of the ladder."

The Raiders were finally able to string back-to-back wins together with last Friday's 30-6 win over St George Illawarra following their round-nine win over Souths, and Dobson said maintaining consistency would be the key to the Raiders staying in the top eight.

"We had a lot of inconsistency early in the season so it was good to go back-to-back for the first time this year," Dobson said.

"But we've still got a lot of improvement to go if we want to keep winning ... there's a long way to go."

Dobson and 22-year-old five-eighth Terry Campese have been left to steer the Raiders around in the absence of Todd Carney, who this week was placed in rehabilitation by the club following his alleged involvement in a police pursuit two weeks ago.

While Dobson was disappointed to see Carney out of action, he also saw it as an opportunity to cement his place in the team.

"From a teammate point of view, I'd love to have him back in the team," said Dobson.

"But I suppose it gives me an opportunity to play.

"I got dropped to Premier League (three weeks ago against Souths) so I've got to take the opportunity now and hopefully, when he does come back, I can hold a spot in the team somewhere."
Source: AAP

[patskE]

Virus won't stop Rogers from facing the Raiders

Luke Turgeon

01Jun07

TITANS coach John Cartwright is confident star centre Mat Rogers can shake off a virus in time to be right for Sunday's match with the Canberra Raiders at Carrara.

Rogers lasted less than 20 minutes into the Titans field training session at Runaway Bay yesterday, leaving the pitch in obvious discomfort. But Cartwright was quick to pour cold water on fears surrounding his fitness.

"He is all right," said Cartwright. "He will play.

"It is just a bit of flu."

The loss of Rogers would be a big blow to the Titans backline, with the dual international in sizzling form so far this season.

Homegrown Titan Luke O'Dwyer trained in Rogers' place yesterday, showing he was not far off a return to first grade after being sidelined for the past three months with an ankle injury.

Fellow centre Brett Delaney cruised through the training run, confirming he would line-up against the Raiders despite suffering concussion and a gash to his upper lip after being king hit by Souths forward Jaiman Lowe last Saturday.

"He (Delaney) is only worried about his looks now, so his brain must be all right," quipped Cartwright.

He said he was wary of the young Raiders side and would not be taking them lightly. Tipped to take the wooden spoon at the start of the year, Canberra have surprised many of their critics to sit seventh on the NRL ladder after 11 rounds.

The Titans are currently 11th.

"I watched those guys every week (last year) and that is probably why I am not surprised at all," said Cartwright.

"Just because we don't see their names in the paper every week, you probably tend to think they can't win games. But they are good quality young players."

Cartwright called for another bumper crowd at Gold Coast Stadium, following last week's win over Souths.

The Titans have had more than 17,000 spectators at each of their home games so far this season.

"It is always good coming off a win," said Cartwright.

"We are coming off a hard patch there after losing three in a row.

"The crowd at Carrara have been great for us and really helped us lift in areas of our game that we were struggling a bit."

[qld power]

the raiders are going well 28-0 down at half time
peterson 2 lewis rogers webster tries rogers 4/5

[Coaster]

That second half was the worst half of football i have seen.

Defensivly we were great, but Kahler really needs to have a long look at himself, His nickname should be Mountain, becuase he just doesnt move, unless its backwards.

Great first half, less said about the second the better, but we did what we needed to do, and thats win the game.

:test:

[Social Loafer]

Good old inconsistent Raiders, let's play like tripe in the first half and give a 28 point start... 2nd half was woeful but at least we didn't do a Newcastle

We had enough ball to score 5 tries in that second half, but we really really really missed Todd Carney...

[Ryan]

That second half was the worst half of football i have seen.

Defensivly we were great, but Kahler really needs to have a long look at himself, His nickname should be Mountain, becuase he just doesnt move, unless its backwards.

Great first half, less said about the second the better, but we did what we needed to do, and thats win the game.

:test:

Couldn't agree more......

Who's up for a signature bet?

Yeah righto, why not?

You gonna be sporting a new sig next week?

[Rage]

titans finally back in top 8 and rightfully so