- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
The Sunday clash between the Gold Coast and Wests Tigers at 3:00pm AEDT shapes as a real litmus test for both sides, but for very different reasons.
Neither team was fancied to cause much trouble in this year’s premiership race, but both teams will see themselves as chances to slip into the top eight after witnessing the form of some of the teams that were hyped up in the pre-season.
The Titans showed plenty of muscle in prop Luke Douglas’ landmark game last week to pip the Sharks 18-12. It was a gutsy showing against a strong Sharks pack, although the Cronulla side were without inspirational captain Paul Gallen for a portion of the contest.
In Douglas 196th straight game of first grade, an incredible achievement, even more remarkable considering he never shirks the tough stuff, the Titans were able to outgrit a very powerful and direct side. Their pack was impressive, and Aidan Sezer just seems to be getting better and better at five-eigth.
It will give the Gold Coast belief that they can make a difference in this year’s competition. With the Cowboys and Bulldogs both suffering back-to-back losses, the race for the eight could look very different than anticipated.
But they will need to get over a Tigers side that showed a real willingness to get stuck in against the Dragons. Despite fading to be beaten 44-24, the Tigers were in the contest until a late fade-out saw them drop behind.
You can understand why. They are a young, building side. Chris Lawrence and Pat Richards will both take some time to find their feet at NRL level again and Braith Anasta will need to take games and his own team by the scruff of the neck. If Anasta steps up to the organising plate, the Tigers will be all the better for it.
Another plus for them is the inclusion of prop Keith Galloway, though it’s unclear whether he’ll play a part as of yet.
Tune into The Roar‘s live score coverage from 3:00pm AEDT, and feel free to drop a comment below to let us know your thoughts on the game.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.