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The Penrith Panthers host the top-of-the-table Gold Coast Titans tonight at Sportingbet Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:00pm (AEST).
Few would have predicted the Titans would be sit atop the NRL ladder after 6 rounds. Fewer still would have predicted they’d do so with a negative points differential.
The Gold Coast club have won five from their first six games by an average of just five points, their gritty defence and the match-winning instincts of five-eighth Aidan Sezer coming to the fore again and again.
Rep back rower Greg Bird has also been outstanding, leading the way for his side alongside fellow Origin forwards Nate Myles, Dave Taylor and Ashley Harrison.
And David Mead, filling in at fullback, has been in top form too – he made 269 metres last week and is keeping regular fullback William Zillman out of the side.
Meanwhile the Panthers have gone win-loss-win-loss-win-loss, yet to really hit top gear but doing enough to suggest they’ll be thereabouts come September.
Last week they were frustrated by a South Sydney side whose up-and-in defence proved too good for their side-to-side attacking play.
The Panthers emerged from that 18-2 loss without a single line break, so expect them to play a little more direct this week.
Also look for a big game from Jamal Idris against his old club. The big centre has looked threatening at times this season and you get the feeling he’s ready for a breakout match. This could be the one.
It’s rare to see a team sitting at the head of the NRL going into a match as underdogs, but that’s the case here. It seems punters still don’t quite believe the Titans are the real deal.
With one of the best packs in the competition I’d say there’s a little more substance to the Titans than you might think, but I still can’t help but go for the home side today. Panthers by 4.
Will the Panthers continue their undefeated home form this season, or will the Titans maintain their place at the top of the NRL ladder?
Join us this evening at 7pm (AEST) for live score updates and debate on our live blog, and be sure to give us your opinion in the space below if you’re watching.
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