The Wests Tigers will go to battle against the high flying Gold Coast Titans in front of a vocal and packed house at Leichardt Oval on Sunday afternoon. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 3:00pm (AEST).
Sunday afternoon, Leichhardt Oval, and a match up between the two sides in the top four. Could you ask for a better way to spend your Sunday afternoon?
Heading into this match the Tigers have come off an impressive 21-18 victory over the Eels in front of 50,000 fans on Easter Monday, while the Titans fell two-points short against the Panthers that same night.
Historically this fixture is definitely not a lopsided one; from 11 matches played the Wests Tigers have won five against the Titans six. Each side has taken turns as victors so far; if the pattern continues, the Titans will go home happy tonight.
The Titans are five wins from their last six matches, and come into Sundays game as an unchanged side, bar the inclusion of Mark Ioane who takes Matt White’s spot on the bench while he serves a suspension.
The home side are still without the likes Robbie Farah and James Tedesco, while James Gavet is also missing out this weekend due to a hamstring injury. Liam Fulton will take his place in the starting 13.
All eyes will once again be focused on the match referees, Gerard Sutton and Dave Munro, as well as video referees, Steve Clark and Luke Phillips, after Luke Brook’s exaggerated tumble got the Tigers out of trouble last week.
This game will be won in possession, the Tigers are a team that force the mistakes while the Titans are the ones that just can’t keep hold of the ball.
If Titans can hold onto the ball, and play with a set structure then they could possibly keep the Tigers at bay.
But with the confidence soaring week by week, and the game being played at the Tigers spiritual home, I can only see one result coming from this – a 12 point victory to the Tigers.
Join us here on The Roar from 3:00pm (AEST) for a live scores and coverage.
Blaze
Guest
Pretty spot on there Pete... I think the tigers did not too bad considering there's 7 or so injuries to our first grade squad.... Once again... Difference is now, there wasn't 50 put on us
Pete75
Guest
To be clear, the Titans were the better team. But Jeez, refereeing decisions took the wind out of what little momentum the Tigers were able to build. If that was an obstruction that denied the Tigers a try that would have taken the game to (from memory) 12-8 Titans, I'm a monkey's uncle. There was also a knock-on when Brooks put a kick through that would have seen the Tigers on the attack deep in Titans territory. Instead a set later the Titans score. There were (as always) a couple of contentious strip/hand in the play-the-ball penalties that really hobbled the Tigers. Again, the Titans were the better team, but a couple of those decision go the other (correct) way and it's a different ball game. The problem is, I really can't see how we fix the problems, with rugby league being such a fast game where refereeing decisions are made at high speed. Unfortunately I think it's largely just something we have to live with. As a Tigers fan, congratulations to the Titans, but hell, that was frustrating to watch!
Isaac Wynyard
Guest
I think the NRL needs to sit down with the referees and explain to them the rules in BLACK and WHITE. Too many weeks in row I watch a game and there is some type controversy with the refs calls.... Clean the game up DAVE SMITH!!! The Titans Vs Wests Tigers on the weekend was the most disgraceful reffing. When the commentators are saying that the ref has called it wrong doesnt that show you something has to be done...
Zee
Roar Guru
It wasn't? I was following a lagging stream + ABC radio.. must've heard wrong apologies,
Zee
Roar Guru
Dude... I had to go off a darn stream obviously because it wasn't broadcast live. I Apologize for the lack of it.
calum
Guest
Really solid performance by the Titans. Thought Sterlo called it quite well when he said that they were persistent rather than spectcular; powerful up front, very efficient decsion making, good defence. Taylor is too inconsistent to be a top class player but when he is in the mood he is really is a talent. Bird was excellent. No spark happening for the Tigers unfortunately. Classic loss where oppostion are solid, nothing is coming off for you and you need a bit of luck to spark something. The disallowed try could have been it, or Brooks almost had an intercept that would have been an under the post score, but just not to be. Ran out of luck after last week I think!
Taipi
Guest
It wasnt Luke wood that kicked that ball 4 simona 2 score...
turbodewd
Guest
What are you suggesting, they throw a punch? You do realise that the laws of the land still apply on the football pitch. If you go assault someone you could still land up in jail. Save up the energy/aggression for the next tackle instead.
up in the north
Guest
Nice wordplay ZEE. Cheers.
Zee
Roar Guru
MOTM -- Greggy Bird, he lead the team by example, when injuries and send offs persisted he stood up & took charge. Involved in absolutely everything today. Now that wraps up a round, sadly no club football next week, internationals are back around, watch out later on for the AUS/NZ test teams, as well as the teams for City & Country. Have a wonderful evening fellas.
Zee
Roar Guru
FT - Aaaand thats a game ... the Spiritualness of Leichardt has been demonized by some brilliant Titanic displays ... Gold Coast head back home with all 2 points in an impressive 22-6 victory. Tries - Tigers - Tim Simona Titans - Bird, Don, Seizer Goals - Tigers - Richards 1/1 Titants - Seizer 2/3 Bird 3/3
Ur kidding
Guest
Do the players realise how sissy they look when there is a flair-up & everyone comes rushing in to have a push & shove.
alex
Guest
UODATES UPDATES>>>> Whats going on GURU???
Bailey
Guest
Any reason as to why Blair left the field Zee?
Zee
Roar Guru
'52 Tigers - 6 Titans - 22 After such a positive start to half .. Greg Bird spoils it for Potters side and scores a thunderous try off an equally impressive kick. He goes on to convert his own try.. and extend his sides lead to 16
Zee
Roar Guru
`45 Wests 6 Titans 16 Tigers have started this half positively, with that gun boy Timmy Simona scoring through a gorgeous Luke Brooks kick, Patty Richards converts to bring the deficit to 10.
Zee
Roar Guru
2nd half is upon us
Zee
Roar Guru
HT TIGERS 0 TITANS 16 Despite TITANS clear disadvantages with injury and send ofs Greg Bird scores to give his side a 16-0 at 1/2 time
Zee
Roar Guru
`26 Wests - 0 Titans - 8 More bad news for Titans ... Seizer off for a possible ankle injury
Zee
Roar Guru
`25 Wests 0 Gold coast 8 Brooks was running to the try line, when Myles grabbed the little bugger, and denied a try scoring opp. 10 in the bin for Myles with Kelly also off with a knee injurty SIMONA throws the dummy,titans fall for it and he scores try is denied by video ref for obstruction