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A damaged shoulder could not stop playmaker Scott Prince carrying the Gold Coast Titans to a 21-18 NRL victory over Wests Tigers at Skilled Park on Friday night, ensuring a home final.
Alarm bells were ringing after the injury-plagued Prince ran off the field midway through the first half following a heavy tackle by Wests Tigers prop Keith Galloway.
Especially after Prince was heard telling Titans trainer Trevor Gillmeister as he ran off: “I think I have broken my collarbone”.
While medical staff cleared Prince to return in the second half, the jury was out on how effective he would be.
Until the 58th minute, that is.
What looked like a wounded Prince suddenly sprang to life, sprinting down the blind side to send a brilliant cut-out pass for flying winger Kevin Gordon to score what became the matchwinner.
Hardly satisfied, Prince then thumped over the conversion from the sideline.
On a night farewelling retiring dual international Mat Rogers, the Titans also looked to have said goodbye to a home final after watching a 13-0 halftime lead evaporate.
Already guaranteed a home final, Wests Tigers came out swinging in the second half, cutting the deficit to just 13-12 by the 47th minute.
Prince’s heroics made it 19-12 but they still had to weather a barnstorming finish from the Tigers – beyond the fulltime siren.
Dangerman Benji Marshall threatened until the end, throwing the final pass seconds after the hooter, only for the ball to go into touch.
But the 26,103 fans still had plenty to shout about with a push and shove between Marshall and Titans prop Matt White almost sparking an all-in brawl.
It was some revenge for the Titans’ heartbreaking 15-14 loss to the Wests Tigers in round 18 – sealed by Marshall’s 50m field goal.
But it was still a gutsy effort by a Wests Tigers team ravaged by injury, forcing coach Tim Sheens to dip into the NSW Cup and dust off fullback Sean Meaney who had played just three minutes of NRL football.
Down 13-0, Wests Tigers made their intentions clear early by scoring two tries in as many minutes.
A shellshocked Titans watched as their healthy lead was cut to just one point after Robbie Farah helped set up tries to Chris Heighington (45th minute) and Lote Tuqiri (47th).
While Prince had returned to the field, the Titans were still dropping like flies with Brad Meyers (ribs) and Steve Michaels (shoulder) off the field for treatment by the 55th minute.
The Titans fans were back on their feet when Prince set up Gordon’s 58th minute sideline try.
But it was back to one point when Titans rake Nathan Friend spilt a slippery grubber and British international Gareth Ellis pounced to score near the posts.
Prince’s injury couldn’t stop the Titans grabbing a 13-0 halftime lead with tries to Ash Harrison (7th) and Anthony Laffranchi (11th).
A 77th minute penalty goal to Prince gave the Titans some extra breathing space.
Rogers – whose glittering career was honoured at his final regular season home game – gave the Titans the extra edge with his first half field goal.
Prince later confirmed he had suffered an AC joint injury but was confident of backing up in the first week of the finals.
“It was pretty sore. I thought the worst (when he came off the field) but the positive thing is that I can’t do any more damage,” Prince said.
“That puts me in a good frame of mind.”
In the end, Prince joined an injury list that also included Meyers (rib), Michaels (AC joint) and lock Ash Harrison (broken nose).
“They were game ending injuries but we had to keep them out there,” Titans coach John Cartwright said.
Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens took heart from their second half fightback which ensured a superior points difference over the Titans, locking up at least third spot on the ladder.
“What could have gone wrong did in the first half,” he said.
“But credit to them, they came out and competed – they showed plenty of courage.”
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