This headline isn’t just because I tipped the Titans and therefore fell further behind in my tipping comp.
The Warriors deserved their win. They looked more likely throughout – which brings me to the main point of all this.
There’s less than two minutes left on the clock, the Warriors leading 24-22 and New Zealand manage to gift Gold Coast a set of six inside their territory. Aiden Sezer finds touch 40 metres out from the Warriors’ line.
This is it. Not just the result of the game but the Titans’ season is in the balance.
Six tackles to get a try or a penalty.
Now let’s begin one of the most feeble last attacking sets for a victory that I’ve seen in 30 years. It is emblematic of a larger problem afflicting many of the coaches in our game: an unwillingness or inability to foster creativity in their players.
Tackle 1: Brad Takairangi taps, passes to Aidan Sezer who hands it to Myles for a “settler” (what we’re settling I have no idea). Fair enough. I’ll let them burn one tackle centring the ball and setting themselves for…
Tackle 2: Beau Falloon out of dummy half, turning it inside for Taylor, hitting the ball at medium-fast speed (1 min to go, remember). Dave Taylor pushes forward, hands free. Nobody near him pushing up in support.
Tackle 3: Falloon to Nate Myles, who looks outside, sees nobody coming on to the ball and decides to take a slow hit-up.
Tackle 4: No playmaker in sight as Dave Taylor once again takes the ball at three-quarter speed, never looks to pass and dies with the football.
Tackle 5: Sluggish second-man play as Sezer throws it behind Ryan James to Ashley Harrison jogging into the defence with little support.
Tackle 6: Lottery. Cross-field kick. Too big. Kevin Gordon almost pulls off a miracle. Game over.
Really? This is the best a playoff contender can throw at the opposition with their final set?
The New Zealand Warriors, not exactly a defensive juggernaut, were forced to defend one play in that final set, a mediocre bomb. (And they still barely managed to hold them out.)
John Cartwright is to blame: either he hasn’t coached his unit to be more creative in their challenge or the players aren’t listening.
You choose. Either way, he has to go. And other coaches should be watching.
watcher
Guest
If the Titans play like that when they have a fully fit roster they will be a real danger side. A lot to like about their commitment.
bangbang
Guest
Hahaha turbo.
Ask
Guest
Scott, quite possibly but bear with me :) Neil Henry got sacked for a couple of reasons but incompetence was not one of them. The main one being the players were no longer responding to him, which is a good enough reason to sack the bloke but doesn't mean he can't coach. I think he has been at the Cowboys for just under 10 years in between his time as an assistant and head coach which means similar to Tim Sheens the chances of your players (and coach) becoming complacent is much higher. See lack of suitable replacement for Aaron Payne, having the two Australian Props well below form and forgetting how to offload, majority of the team falling into the old habits of waiting for Thurston to do something. Again, these guys are professional rugby league players - you don't have coaches to teach them how to pass, the majority of their job is getting the players up for the next game. Since he could no longer do that it was time for him to go. But a fresh start with a new coach could be good for the Cowboys and Neil Henry.
Tom
Guest
Horse Cartright is a whinger when things dont go his way. He is worse then Des Hasler and Toovey. Every time there is a decision that goes against the Titans, it is the poor old refs that cope a hammering as being inept and that includes when they win as well. Frankly when Cartright starts talking, I stop listening - he is a pain in the a*se!
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Ask, Are u on drugs? Neil Henry has just been sacked for total incompetence and you want to hire him? When a coach gets sacked from any club it is generally for a very good reason, but it is amazing how so many inept Boards approve the hiring of Head Coaches with a long list of poor performances: eg Ricky Stuart, Tim Sheens, Matt Elliot etc the list is huge. Go figure!
Doug Graves
Guest
Titans should give Tim Sheens a call I reckon, he'd be a good fit for them.
turbodewd
Guest
It has been reporting that Kevin Gordon also has a similar hairdo setup downstairs for good luck. His Mrs hates it, but Kevin swears by it. Its the talk of the Gold Coast and SEQld naturopaths. Gordon's personal naturopath put him onto it to boost his testosterone and confidence.
turbodewd
Guest
I know full well he is injured, he broke his leg in Newcastle. Im hoping he returns to the field this year. If his form of 2013 continues into 2014 he is a must for the Blues. Better than Jennings!
Ask
Guest
Need to get Neil Henry to coach the Titans next year.
GW
Roar Pro
According to the TV news, the only thing that happened during the game was the non-penalty to the Titans for the Warriors player leading with his legs in the last second. He was very close to kicking the ball dead and there was no threat to the safely of the Titans player. It wasn't a situation where the Warriors player's main aim was to kick the opposition player, unlike what Slater does, so it just wasn't an issue. Why do they have "settlers" in the last few minutes of a game, unless you're in front, or you're trying to get the ball near the posts to make a field goal easier?
Daniel
Guest
Gordon is a class player who is getting better every game since returning from a knee injury. Bring back Idris. he broke his ankle! he didnt get dropped you have no idea mate
Daniel
Guest
100% right and I really don't understand why the media hasn’t said much about cartwright. us fan have voiced our concerns for the last 3 seasons.
Case
Guest
@ turbodewd The winger with the 'funny hairdo' (Kevin Gordon) has been arguably the Titans best back the entire season. But yep. That little ponytail must be the reason for the entire squad having an average year. Really showing your knowledge there mate. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/samurai-gordon-in-career-best-form/story-fni3grk4-1226696540918 On other points, totally agree with the author. Titans are my team, but watching sets like the one mentioned above for pretty much all of the year is just getting painful. Definitely time to start looking at Cartwright.
turbodewd
Guest
Who is the Titans winger with the funny hairdo - the little rubber band holding up a 5cm vertical ponytail thing. its so stupid and distracting, no wonder they lose. Bring back Idris! The bloke has been on fire this year.
oikee
Guest
No Bird no Titans. Should they have kicked for a draw and gone to golden point. ? History now, time to join the Broncos for Mad Monday. It could be worse, we could all be Parra supporters.
The eye
Guest
Their season went out the window when Idriss broke his leg,maybe even before that when they failed to land Jamie Lyon.Look at their backline,Don,Dowling,Takarangi,Mead,Gordon all punched above their weight to get that close to the Warriors.The big picture is they're in the same boat as the Sharks top heavy with forwards so opponents run around them and get at their feeble three quarters.