The hype in Gold Coast about the return of dual international Mat Rogers will put a smile back on their faces, but he won’t be able to bring the Coast back into finals contention this year.
The Titans will have to pull off a Parramatta of 2009-effort if they think they can return to the top eight for the first time since 2010.
There has been simply no excuse for the Titans except that of the loss of speedster Kevin Gordon, veteran forward Brad Meyers and hooker Nathan Friend. Injury though just can’t be thought as a reason for the downward slide in this side. They still have the likes of experienced veterans in Presto, Prince, Bailey, Harrison, Bird, Minichiello and Laffranchi, who have played over seven years of NRL footy. So what’s the matter?
The signing of Mat Rogers only gives the side that slight bit of confidence; not the chance to make the finals. The Titans will have to win at least seven of their last eight games to just slide in, but the fixture doesn’t favour them. The bye gives them the chance to prepare for the toughest month of footy forthcoming.
They start with the Warriors away at Mt Smart Stadium on a Friday. The Warriors have won four from their six games at home this season and last time they played earlier on this season, the Titans lost their first match to Warriors at Skilled Park. The Titans then get a full week to prepare for a blockbuster match against the Broncos, where a presumed sell out crowd will greet them.
Their time away will stop and they will have eight days to prepare for an inform Cowboys side, who have not won at Skilled Park since 2009, but with a presumed full 17 including the injury comebacks of Brent Tate, Willie Tonga and Scott Bolton, it will be certainly tough. The tough month ends with a match down south to the Hunter when they take on a Newcastle side that are currently playing the same footy that they did when they won the comp back in 2001.
The next month and a bit will really test the Titans as they play a Sharks side that are blood-thirsty for a top eight spot. Then they follow with two home games against two totally different sides, the Storm and the Raiders. The West Tigers away will be a tough match for the poor side after big games prior, but at the end of the regular season they will play a Parramatta outfit at home, which will finish the season.
If the Titans make it, it will be exactly like the Parramatta Eels of 2009, except better. They were in the exact same position as the Titans (except not last on the ladder) and they somehow came seven points short of a premiership. The Eels managed to beat four of the top eight teams on their run to the finals, whereas the Titans will have to play six of the current top eight teams and manage to only lose one game on the way.
So, will the return of Rogers turn this struggling side around or will it be same old, same old for the Gold Coast? The final two months and a bit will be the toughest time the club will ever face in their short history. Can they do it?
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
The Titans have massive problems. !. Why did they sign their coach for another 5 years when he had a shiocker in the semis last year? 2. Why did they sign Beau Henry who will struggle to play first grade? 3. Why did they let Laffranchi go when he has been their best attacking forward since the club started? 4. Why do they continue to field a tiny pack? 5. Why cant any centre tackle? Rogers will not play next year and the team will go close to 16th this year so what is the point of him taking up a spot when he can mentor from the sheds.
oikee
Guest
Who are you going to blood, and dont say Jordon Rankin, this kid is b-grade and will never be a great player. If the Titans cant see that most of their juniors are hopeless, then what hope has this club except become a Roosters, and buy players from other clubs and become a retirement village team like the Suns. Anyone who takes these 2 new teams seriously has either had to much sun, or got to much money. And that about sums the Titans up at the moment, no juniors, no players, little brother. They should start taking away games to Rockhampton, maybe even look for some players while they are their.
oikee
Guest
:) gonnnnee, and Carty is a protected species. I think it is time the NRL had a 2 year contract system, then a open season on Contracts, you sign them your stuck with them, for 2 years suckers, no more, no less. Players and coaches. That sounds good, so every 2 years we have a party at the Opera house for a signing day. ???
Gareth
Guest
Unless Mat Rogers can convince his peers to play as though they've got contracts with the club beyond this season, then no.
skinner
Guest
save them from what? the wooden spoon? I cant believe the stupidity of getting old players back. I doesnt help the club in the slightest, this is the chance to blood some younger players. Matt Rogers is the person who get anything from the deal.
betamax
Roar Guru
Agreed about Shannon Walker. Now is the time to give him a run. Good to see Mat back, but it's obviously for morale and a bit of publicity. Maybe if things work out he might be back next year. Hope so.
Seano
Guest
I live on the coast and love afl and NRL, the issue with the titans is searle, he gets players he thinks will put bums on seats instead of a winning team. They have outside backs and 2nd rowers coming out of there backside but no 5/8, why get idris when they need help at 5/8 they could have kept friend and got finch last year, then they have a spine. they should have chased hannet too. Shannon walker is one of the hottest prospects in the NRL and can't get a game for the wooden spooners but they call back Rogers and keep playing presto??? Are they gunna be in the next premiership team? Searle is a joke! And if you must keep presto going play him at 5/8 for the rest of the year coz there is no one else! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Stu
Guest
I think this is more about publicity than anything else. The Titans can't make the finals and should be focussing on the future. Even their feeder club has questioned the decision to bring back Matt Rogers rather than give a kid some experience for next year. They're losing the crowd battle to the Suns so are focussing on that by calling back Rogers. Really, the decision can't be about anything else. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Happy Hooker
Guest
No - he can't. Next question.