The Wests Tigers are gunning for the top four while the Gold Coast Titans travel to Campbelltown Sports Stadium playing for pride and looking to halt a seventh straight victory for the Tigers. Join us for live scores and blog from 7:00pm AEST.
The Titans are coming off two impressive victories in the last three weeks to give them some hope for next season.
Tonight’s game will prove to be a sterner test as the Tigers have more than the two points to play for as they mark a special night for a host of departing Tigers: Todd Payten, Bryce Gibbs, Tim Moltzen, Wade McKinnon, Andrew Fifita and Mark Flanagan all being honoured with a special post-match tribute.
The Tigers have been a revelation over the past six weeks, stepping up to overcome a midseason form slump and off-field issues including the now-ended drama of Benji Marshall’s court case.
The Tigers are bolstered by the return of internationals Lote Tuqiri and Gareth Ellis. Matt Utai, who has filled in admirably while Tuqiri has been sidelined, shifts to the centres with Mitch Brown moving to the bench.
Mark Flanagan is the unlucky one who misses out due to the return of Ellis.
The Titans personnel changes sees Clinton Toopi displacing Dominique Peyroux (broken hand) at centre, while inspirational leader Luke Bailey makes his return which pushes Anthony Laffranchi to the second row and Luke O’Dwyer to the bench.
The History
Played 8; Titans 5, Wests Tigers 3. The Titans have won three of the past four games between the sides, including a 20-14 win at Skilled Park in Round 6.
Key Stats
• The Tigers have scored more tries (43) down the right corridor than any other team, while the Titans have leaked more tries to teams down the right sideline (their left defence) than any other side (42).
• Titans have a strong record against the Tigers. The past three games have been extremely close affairs (a combined winning margin of just 10 points)
• The Tigers are the ‘Monday Night Kings’ – over the past three seasons they’ve won seven of eight games to close out a round.
Key Matchup
Greg Bird got back to his destructive self on the weekend, running for 167m from 22 hit-ups, as well as 32 tackles, one offload, a line break and a try assist. He will be a key player again for the Titans this week.
In contrast, Chris Heighington had an off day against the Eels statistically, running for 94m from his 12 hit-ups, making only 29 tackles but also making two errors. He will need to step up in a face-off with Bird this week.
Lineups
Tigers: Tim Moltzen, Beau Ryan, Blake Ayshford, Matt Utai, Lote Tuqiri, Benji Marshall, Robert Lui, Bryce Gibbs, Robbie Farah (c), Keith Galloway, Liam Fulton, Gareth Ellis, Chris Heighington. Interchange: Mitch Brown, Todd Payten, Matt Groat, Aaron Woods.
Titans: Jordan Rankin, Steve Michaels, Esi Tonga, Clinton Toopi, David Mead, William Zillman, Preston Campbell (c), Luke Bailey, Matt Srama, Matthew White, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Greg Bird. Interchange: Brenton Lawrence, Will Matthews, Bodene Thompson, Luke O’Dwyer
Match Officials: Referees – Steve Lyons, Phil Haines; Sideline Officials – Adam Reid, David Munro; Video Ref – Sean Hampstead.
Betting: West Tigers – $1.08, Gold Coast Titans – $7.
[livescoring id=”dom-NRL20112508″]
shane
Roar Guru
Fulltime Stats Possession Tigers - 41 Titans 51 Tackles Tigers - 241 Titans - 307 Line Breaks Tigers - 11 Titans - 1 Missed Tackles Tigers - 26 Titans - 56 Errors Tigers - 12 Titans - 16 Penalties Tigers - 9 Titans - 5
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Nice call tonight Shane. More than 1300 reads! Tigers red hot.
shane
Roar Guru
On the full time siren, Farah adds 1 more point to the see the Tigers record their 7th straight victory. Tigers 39 Titans 10 The Tigers were not as impressive in that second half, and the Titans did show a bit more fight, but it was never enough really. No doubt Benji will be M.O.M.
shane
Roar Guru
78' Try Tigers, Chris Heighington gets his name on the score sheet. Mitch Brown coverts. Tigers 38 Titans 10
shane
Roar Guru
77' And another set as Preston is forced to bat the ball dead in goal after a Farah grubber in goal. Good effort by the Titans to hold them out when there's nothing on the line.
shane
Roar Guru
75' Tigers will get another set on the Titans line, Tigers pass knocked down. Tiger 32 Titans 10
shane
Roar Guru
73' Titans finally with the ball. The Tigers had set up camp inside the Titans 20. As I say that, the Titans drop the ball. They will be doing well to not concede here. Benji has been interchanged. Outstanding effort from the star playmaker.
shane
Roar Guru
67' Benji converts, Tigers 32 Titans 10
shane
Roar Guru
66' Try Tigers, Moltzen left foot step through a gap, and goes over. Tiger 30 Titans 10, kick to come, you get the feeling the Tigers will put few more points on tonight.
shane
Roar Guru
Must say the Titans have shown plenty of spirit in this second half. And on the kick restart the Tigers are bundled in touch. Poor option from the Tigers. Titans can hit right back, they need to hit right back.
shane
Roar Guru
61' After repeated sets on the Titans line, they finally crack. A neat offload from Utai to Tuqiri who goes over in the corner. Benji misses the conversion. Tigers 26 Titans 10
shane
Roar Guru
56' And the Titans ruin a great chance on the Tigers line, a loose pass from dummy half and Robert Lui jumps on the ball. Titans then give away a penalty and all of the sudden the Tigers are on the attack.
shane
Roar Guru
50' Another dropped ball from the Tigers, Tim Sheens will be fuming if he wasn't already. Titans couldn't make the most of this dropped ball though. Tigers inviting the Titans back in to this game with some sloppy ball work.
shane
Roar Guru
47' And there we go, Benji this time fails to produce and David Mead intercepts and crusies 45 to touch down for the Titans. Tim Sheens will not be happy with that. Preston covverts, Tigers 22 Titans 10
shane
Roar Guru
46' Tigers survive, the Titans are trying hard, but it's just not their night. Tigers bring the ball out from their own half. Tigers 22 Titans 4
shane
Roar Guru
44' Tigers conceed a penalty this time. P.S. It was Benji. Titans on the attack, 10 out from Tigers line, and another penalty for a high shot. Titans, must score here now.
shane
Roar Guru
41' And there goes Benji again, throws a dummy and the Titans defence open up like Sydney heads, He is eventually brought down 20 out from the Titans line and somehow the Titans end up with the ball. He cannot be tackled tonight, Benji.
shane
Roar Guru
Players make their way back out on to the field. Hope the TItans improve on the first half debacle they produced or this could get uglier.
shane
Roar Guru
Halftime stats Possession Tigers - 58% Titans - 42% Tackles Tigers - 122 Titans - 152 Line Breaks Tigers - 5 Titans - 1 Offloads Tigers - 5 Titans - 4 Missed Tackles Tigers - 11 Titans - 29 Errors Tigers - 7 Titans - 7 Penalties Tigers - 3 Titans - 1
shane
Roar Guru
And that will do us for the first half. It has been the Benji show once again. Tigers head to the sheds full of confidence and 22 to 4 up against a woeful Titans outfit.