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The Gold Coast Titans have struggled ever since they became a part of the NRL as an expansion club. They have some good moments sprinkled through too many bad ones and need a strong season in 2015.
New coach Neil Henry could be the change the Titans need, and their fans will be hoping and praying this is the case.
At the start of the 2014 season the Titans were right up the pointy end of the ladder before falling away as the season went on.
Consistency will be the key for the Titans, but it doesn’t seem like they are in for a great season.
Pre-season fixtures
January 31 – February 1: Auckland Nines
February 7: versus New Zealand Warriors at Clive Berghoffer Stadium
February 21: versus North Queensland Cowboys at Barlow Park
Following the Auckland Nines the Titans will be playing the Warriors and the Cowboys.
The Warriors like playing an attacking brand of football, and no doubt any youngsters that get a run will be looking to do the same, so a good challenge awaits the Titans’ defence.
Meanwhile, while the Cowboys are strong in attack, they are also a decent defending team, so the Titans will look to have a very good hit out.
Ins and outs
2015 gains: Lachlan Burr (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 2016), Davin Crampton (2015), David Hala (Brisbane Broncos, 2016), Josh Hoffman (Brisbane Broncos, 2017), Jai Ingram (2015), Daniel Mortimer (mid-season: Sydney Roosters, 2016), Kierran Moseley (Penrith Panthers, 2016), Eddy Pettybourne (Wigan Warriors, 2015), James Roberts (Mid Season: Penrith Panthers, 2015), Matt Robinson (Penrith Panthers, 2016), Ryan Simpkins (Penrith Panthers, 2016)
2015 losses: Luke Bailey (retired), Maurice Blair (Hull Kingston Rovers), Ashley Harrison (retired), Beau Henry (St George Illawarra Dragons), Sam Irwin (Featherstone), Albert Kelly (Hull Kingston Rovers), Tom Kingston (army), Steve Michaels (Hull FC), Mark Minichiello (Hull FC), Cody Nelson (Parramatta Eels), Brad Takairangi (Parramatta Eels)
The Titans’ recruitment has been questionable. They have made some notable signings including Josh Hoffmanm, David Hala and Ryan Simpkins, plus the pick ups of Daniel Mortimer and James Roberts during last season. However the Titans are losing a fair bit from their side and it seems as if it hasn’t been replaced with the same calibre players.
Not playing for the Titans in 2015 include retired duo Ashley Harrison and Luke Bailey, while they also lost pocket-rocket half Albert Kelly.
Season fixtures
R1 Sat 07 Mar 2015, 8:00pm, Cbus Super Stadium Titans V Wests Tigers
R2 Sat 14 Mar 2015, 4:30pm, Carrington Park Panthers V Titans
R3 Sun 22 Mar 2015, 7:30pm, Cbus Super Stadium Titans V Knights
R4 Sat 28 Mar 2015, 5:30pm, Remondis Stadium Sharks V Titans
R5 Fri 03 Apr 2015, 8:45pm, Cbus Super Stadium Titans V Broncos
R6 Sat 11 Apr 2015, 2:00pm, Pirtek Stadium Eels V Titans
R7 Sat 18 Apr 2015, 3:00pm, Cbus Super Stadium Titans V Panthers
R8 Sat 25 Apr 2015, 9:00am, Mt Smart Stadium Warriors V Titans
R9 Sat 09 May 2015, 2:00pm, GIO Stadium Raiders V Titans
R10 Sat 16 May 2015, 5:30pm, Cbus Super Stadium Titans V Sharks
R12 Sat 30 May 2015, 3:00pm, Cbus Super Stadium Titans V Rabbitohs
R13 Fri 05 Jun 2015, 7:35pm, Leichhardt Oval Wests Tigers V Titans
R14 Sun 14 Jun 2015, 4:00pm, Cbus Super Stadium Titans V Bulldogs
R15 Sat 20 Jun 2015, 5:30pm, Cbus Super Stadium Titans V Warriors
R16 Sun 28 Jun 2015, 1:00pm, Allianz Stadium Roosters V Titans
R18 Mon 13 Jul 2015, 7:00pm, Cbus Super Stadium Titans V Sea Eagles
R19 Sat 18 Jul 2015, 4:30pm, Hunter Stadium Knights V Titans
R20 Fri 24 Jul 2015, 7:35pm, Suncorp Stadium Broncos V Titans
R21 TBC, Cbus Super Stadium Titans V Eels
R22 TBC, AAMI Park Storm V Titans
R23 TBC, TBC Bulldogs V Titans
R24 TBC, Cbus Super Stadium Titans V Raiders
R25 TBC, Cbus Super Stadium Titans V Dragons
R26 TBC, 1300 Smiles Stadium Cowboys V Titans
Draw analysis
The Titans have a relatively easy start to the 2015 NRL season, playing five out of their first eight games against teams that finished in the bottom half of the table in 2014. However two games against competition heavyweights the Penrith Panthers within the first eight rounds could make or break the side early in the season, as beating a strong side like the Panthers would be a massive morale booster.
The Titans’ 12 home games are sprinkled through the season very evenly, with 6 in the first 13 rounds and then another 6 in the last 13 rounds, meaning that while they won’t have a lot of home games bunched into their fixture at one time, nor will they be on the road for any more than about two weeks at a time.
Their run home doesn’t look to be the hardest, with only the Bulldogs and Storm out of the teams that finished in the 2014 top eight in their last 6 games.
The teams the Titans will play twice are the Panthers, Sharks, Tigers, Knights, Broncos, Bulldogs, Eels, Raiders and Warriors. Titans fans will enjoy looking at that list of teams to play twice.
Predicted impact of State of Origin
The Titans will be moderately affected by State of Origin. Potentially losing three of their best forwards in Greg Bird, Nate Myles and Dave Taylor is going to be a big blow for any club, but the Titans aren’t overly stocked in the forwards and losing three forwards, not a mix of backs and forwards, is a massive blow.
However if the Titans perform well this season then you can expect all three will play Origin. Aiden Sezer could feature as well, but that is a long shot.
Predicted finish and final word
The Titans look to be in for a long season, although the new coach could see a turnaround if they can keep their top 17 on the paddock. Origin will be a big roadblock for the Titans in their quest to make the top eight in 2015.
My tip for the Titans in 2015 is in the bottom four.
Tomorrow we look at the Wests Tigers.