The Gold Coast Titans may have saved themselves the dishonour of winning the wooden spoon after a 28-12 win over the Canberra Raiders.
>>MATCH REPORT: Elgey leads Titans to victory over Raiders
Gold Coast 28 def. Canberra 12
There will be little to play for other than pride as the Gold Coast Titans welcome the Canberra Raiders to Cbus Super Stadium. Join The Roar from 1.50pm (AEST) for live scores and coverage.
Both sides find themselves out of finals contention in very different circumstances. The Titans have been poor most of the year and find themselves in the dreaded wooden spoon position. While it’s a case of what might have been for the improved Raiders who hold a positive for and against (+4) despite winning just eight out of 21 games this season.
Gold Coast are looking for just their fourth home victory of the season and come into the game on the back of two straight defeats by the same scoreline of 36-14 to the Storm and the Bulldogs.
Canberra’s finals aspirations ended last week in heartbreaking fashion against Manly despite scoring 24 unanswered points to overturn a 16-0 deficit.
Aidan Sezer won’t play against the club he will be joining in 2016 after injuring his shoulder, meaning Daniel Mortimer moves to halfback, Beau Falloon to hooker and Kierran Moseley comes onto the bench. Ryan James and Nate Myles also return to bolster the forwards in place of Lachlan Burr and David Hala.
Jarrod Croker will be looking to remain in first place on the point scoring list, where he is currently tied with James Maloney on 198 points in 2015.
Similarly, a rare bright spot for the Titans in 2015, James Roberts needs just one try in his remaining three games to break a club record for most tries in a season.
Prediction:
The Raiders thumped the Titans 56-16 in Round 9, and after last week’s disappointment will be looking to take out their anger with a similar result.
Whilst the Titans welcome back Myles and James, they are lacking creativity in the halves with no Elgey or Sezer.
Raiders by 12.
In any case, a compelling game could be on the cards so join The Roar from 1:50 (AEST) to follow our live coverage, and remember to leave your comments as the game progresses.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
The season can't end quick enough for the Raiders. Terrible game. Shameful performance by the Raiders. Young Elgey can play a bit.
James Silver
Roar Guru
Ah yes, that one was even worse! At least they are two top eight sides.
Jono
Guest
I really feel for Kennedy. He was probably their form forward for a lot of last year and has had pretty decent form all year, but has been stuck on the bench for all but a handful of games. It might seem a bit harsh given the amount of work Fenson does, but maybe Kennedy should start instead of him.
Jono
Guest
This is what you get when you have team playing average versus a team that doesn't care about the result. That's not to say the Raiders didn't want to win, it was more of the case that they didn't care if they won. If it wasn't clear by the lackluster way they played, it was after the end of the game. No one looked particularly upset to have lost and they looked like they were just going through the motions. Which is pretty much how I feel as a fan of the Raiders. I would have liked them to win, but I don't particularly care that they lost. Probably should be worried about how close they are to the wooden spoon, but I've leave that to round 26 and start caring then if I need to.
Scott Pryde
Expert
How about the Bulldogs v Sharks game a few weeks ago at Belmore James. There was closer to 40 in that game.
James Silver
Roar Guru
8762, I feel sorry for every last one of them.
James Silver
Roar Guru
Tim Williams @TimWill94 I've seen higher quality games of u6s footy at the Cooma Showground in a frost then this catastrophe #NRLTitansRaiders The above tweet does a great job of summing up this contest. You will be very hard pressed to find another game with 27 errors. Especially one played in perfect conditions. For the Titans, Kane Elgey was the difference, involved in nearly every try, while Beau Falloon, Ryan James and Nene Macdonald also shone. For the Raiders, Jarrod Kennedy stood out for being the best in a beaten bunch. The Titans move off bottom spot and now have the same amount of wins as the Raiders. Newcastle now find themselves in 16th, providing them with motivation to beat the Storm tomorrow night. As for now, be sure to follow the Roar's live coverage of Manly up against Parramatta. Titans 28 Raiders 12
James Silver
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Wighton takes the high ball wonderfully, but it's all too late. Williams bombs high in the air and Hoffman will take it and be tackled to end what has been an utterly woeful game of Rugby League filled with drop balls and poor last tackle execution from the Raiders. Arguably the worst game I have ever seen. If Kane Elgey had not been involved it would certainly have been the worst. Man of the Match Kane Elgey with a great understatement: 'It was a bit scrappy at times' Titans 28 Raiders 12
James Silver
Roar Guru
78' Croker goes in search of another try off a kick but has knocked on as he and Mortimer came together once more. 80 Seconds of torture remains. Titans 28 Raiders 12
James Silver
Roar Guru
76' Hoffman is brought down by Austin just a metre out. Titans go 20m backwards after a scrappy last tackle before Elgey eventually kicks over the touch line to run down the clock. Titans 28 Raiders 12
James Silver
Roar Guru
76' The Raiders regather their own kick off and are a couple of metres out now. Croker may have scored a try here from a grubber kick by Hodgson. Mortimer and Croker both dive for the ball and it's very hard to judge as the ball hits Mortimer's fingertips without forcing it and hits Croker's elbow. 20m restart is the verdict. Titans 28 Raiders 12
James Silver
Roar Guru
75' Elgey converts the penalty. Titans 28 Raiders 12
James Silver
Roar Guru
73' Macdonald makes a burst and links up with FaiFai Loa, he passes back on the inside to the ground. Macdonald scoops it up and looks for Falloon on the inside, but he is chopped down a couple of metres out by Kennedy who has been Canberra's best player today. Penalty against Kennedy for lying all over Falloon. Titans 26 Raiders 12
James Silver
Roar Guru
71' TRY It seems as if Kane Elgey is the only player out there playing Rugby League. A great set move sees Falloon pass to Hoffman onto Mortimer who passes to Elgey who under immense pressure taps it straight onto Macdonald who will score and put this game to bed. Elgey makes the conversion, he can do no wrong. The Raiders have not turned up today after last weeks disappointment. Titans 26 Raiders 12
James Silver
Roar Guru
70' Now the Raiders have dropped the ball! There must be a competition for who can drop the ball the most, this is ridiculous. FaiFai Loa picks up the scraps and gets to halfway. Titans 20 Raiders 12
James Silver
Roar Guru
69' My golly, this game is terrible. Ryan James drops another pass which went straight into his bread basket. 14 incomplete sets for the Titans today... and they lead by eight. Titans 20 Raiders 12
James Silver
Roar Guru
68' Another poor finish to a set from Canberra, as Hodgson's grubber has no chaser. Titans 20 Raiders 12
James Silver
Roar Guru
67' No they can not, as for the umpteenth time today we have a drop ball as Douglas spills it cold. Titans 20 Raiders 12
James Silver
Roar Guru
66' Cracking 40/20 From Elgey! The ball rolling into touch just 5m from the Raiders line. Can they put this game to bed here? Titans 20 Raiders 12
James Silver
Roar Guru
65' PENALTY Elgey slots it over from just to the left of the posts to make it a two possession game. Titans 20 Raiders 12