FULL-TIME SCORE: Titans 13 – Cowboys 12
So…what is it with the Cowboys that they simply cannot get things right early in the season? You just know they’re going to come home with a wet sail this season – they’ve done it so many times before.
Tonight, however, they were pretty terrible – they could not hold onto the ball, their attack looked disjointed and for the Titans it was really just a matter of Aidan Sezer taking control late in the contest with a strong kicking game and a winning field goal. The Cowboys managed to claw a try back late in the game – it came after the siren and went through pretty much every hand in the team before Tate found some space on the right and threw it back inside before Scott crossed under the posts.
It’s an all-Queensland battle as the slow-starting North Queensland Cowboys take on the gritty Gold Coast Titans. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm AEDT.
After winning the inaugural Auckland Nines, the Cowboys entered the NRL season with high expectations. Instead they’ve managed two losses and one unconvincing win over heavy underdogs the Raiders.
It’s a familiar story for Cowboys fans, who know they have the cattle to be a top-four team but all too often find themselves struggling early on.
The Titans, meanwhile, have managed two narrow wins to kick off 2014, though an injury-ravaged Sharks and a below-average Raiders could hardly be called prized scalps. Add their dismal performance against the Wests Tigers in Round 2 and the jury is still out as to whether the Titans could play finals football this year.
In a blow to the Titans, fullback William Zillman is out this week, while key playmaker and goalkicker Aidan Sezer is also at long odds to play.
It will place even more pressure on exciting halfback Albert Kelly, who has four tries already this season, as well as veteran forwards Greg Bird and Nate Myles, both of whom have been standouts in the Titans’ two wins. Bird in particular was very good last week – his impact and importance to his side becoming more and more like that of NSW Origin teammate Paul Gallen to the Sharks.
Unlike their opponents tonight, the Cowboys will field the same 17 that started against the Warriors last week.
The Titans’ edge defence was very good against the Raiders, but it will have to be even better with the likes of Gavin Cooper, Jason Taumololo and Tariq Sims all running wide for the Cowboys.
They also have plenty of playmaking options with Johnathan Thurston, Robert Lui and fullback Michael Morgan all noted ball players.
Add the impact of representative front rowers Matthew Scott and James Tamou and I definitely think the Cowboys will be too strong here.
North Queensland by 20.
Robert cole
Guest
Well Joel, They are not above reproach, we have seen it all before in other codes, coaches and players can not make comment without bringing the game down and coping a $10,000 fine, but refferees can make mistakes that will effect the outcome of the game and get away with it. ( 7 tackles, offside, forward pass )
Joel
Guest
Note from the moderations: Er, no Joel. This is a very serious accusation you're making.
LewieC
Roar Rookie
Robert I'm envious of you - I wish I could say I was there from the get-go but Primary and High school robbed me of that privilege. I joined the faithful back in the late 90's and got sucked in during the early 2000's. Unfortunately tonight was a typical toothless Cowboys, one dimensional, Thurston-heavy play. We were simply not good enough in defence and had no potency in attack. With the roster we have, we should not be relying on penalties for possession, we should be dominating teams like the Titans in basically all aspects (with all due respect to their side here, I'm just bleating) - but hats off to them and well done on the 2 points. God knows we needed them.
Robert Cole
Guest
My wife & I have been a Cowboys supporter from the first game sitting on the hill in the rain and has never changed, I have found over the years that the team has been robbed with poor referring and I feel that looking from the outside that referees have to be investigated over bets being put up from referees about who is going to win. Some of the decisions that have been made but referees and touch line and 3 party referees have been laughably and disgusting. I rest my point//////
Adam
Roar Guru
Something else that may come out of this match is a shoulder charge by Ashley Harrison on Ray Thompson in the first half. It wasn't put on report at the time, but we've already seen a precedent set this year and that one didn't look too different from those that have already led to suspensions.
Adam
Roar Guru
I hear ya mate.
Adam
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME: Titans 13 - Cowboys 12 So... what is it with the Cowboys that they simply cannot get things right early in the season? You just know they're going to come home with a wet sail this season – they've done it so many times before. Tonight, however, they were pretty terrible – they could not hold onto the ball, their attack looked disjointed and for the Titans it was really just a matter of Aidan Sezer taking control late in the contest with a strong kicking game and a winning field goal. The Cowboys managed to claw a try back late in the game – it came after the siren and went through pretty much every hand in the team before Tate found some space on the right and threw it back inside before Scott crossed under the posts.
Adam
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME: Titans 13 - Cowboys 12
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Titans 13 - Cowboys 12 TRY COWBOYS. Matt Scott escapes the nudie run after the siren. CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL from Thurston.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Titans 13 - Cowboys 6 80' VIDEO REF! Cowboys have scored a crazy last try – it's going to be too little too late, but we're going upstairs and I think Scott has a try here!
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Titans 13 - Cowboys 6 79' Half-chance for the Cowboys as they run it on the last and Taumololo finds space but he's tackled... he off-loads to Thompson who had time to get it out but mustn't have known Kelly was trailing him and he's tackled on the last. Now Kelly makes a break! He tries to chip over the top of Morgan but again Morgan turns and beats him for pace, Cowboys back in possession.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Titans 13 - Cowboys 6 78' Now a settling kick by Sezer finds touch 10m out from NQ's line, looks like this will be Gold Coast's night.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Titans 13 - Cowboys 6 77' Cowboys lose it on the first tackle. Wow.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Titans 13 - Cowboys 6 75' Kelly pounces on a loose ball again and toes it ahead! And again! He's going to try and dribble it all the way to the tryline... but he loses his footing and the Cowboys clean it up. Now NQ win a penalty and will find touch 30m out from Titans' line. The last chance for the Cowboys, they must score here.
planko
Guest
Gold Coast really trying to much of this just relax and take your time no stupid passes
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Titans 13 - Cowboys 6 73' Taylor makes a half-break and tries to force an off-load to Kelly in support but it wasn't on and the Cowboys come up with possession. Not sure that was smart by Taylor to give the Cowboys a sniff... ...buuuut now the Cowboys throw the ball into touch... they've had plenty of sniffs tonight but waste yet another.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Titans 13 - Cowboys 6 72' Lui tries a chip kick for Feldt on the fly, it takes an awkward bounce and heads into touch. Feldt didn't look like he knew that was coming, symptomatic of the Cowboys' whole attack tonight.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Titans 13 - Cowboys 6 71' Cowboys with quick hands to the left but Don does well to rush his man and force an error, Titans back in possession!
Jon
Guest
Damn had a feeling titans were gonna win..
Leroy Loggins
Guest
Pretty hard to get excited about RL after reading about Alex McKinnon. What a horrible time for all involved