Rugby league tosses up mysteries aplenty and there is another one brewing up on the Gold Coast.
The Titans are equal competition leaders after four rounds but hardly any media outlet has been generous in their praise of their achievements, nor those of head coach Neil Henry, who has orchestrated an encouraging and enterprising start to the new season.
Henry’s team was ranked by many as wooden spoon certainties before a ball was kicked but wins over Newcastle, Wests Tigers and Canberra have them riding high after the first month of NRL action.
The Titans’ only loss came in Melbourne, but they were right in the fight for the first 60 minutes.
Henry deserves a serious pat on the back for the way his team has performed. He has prepared the Titans superbly and they are showing that big things can be achieved, despite what the odds-makers and tipsters think.
It is clear his team are hungry for success and that they are prepared to work hard for 80 minutes to achieve it.
I am not predicting anything wild for the Gold Coast in 2016, but I am really enjoying the effort the players are putting in on a weekly basis, and I expect them to stretch the Brisbane Broncos when they meet on Friday.
This effort hasn’t always been the case from Gold Coast teams down through the years, but when the current lot starts the new season at 3 and 1, I expect the electronic and print media to be more generous in praise of their performance.
Nope. Next to nothing. Perhaps it’s unfashionable to say, broadcast or write nice things about the Titans. “They’ll crash and burn – you’ll see.”
I certainly like what I have seen.
New halfback Ash Taylor looks to be a player to really watch as he cuts his teeth in the NRL.
The former Bronco oozes skill and the Titans are fortunate to have him with their young-gun half Kane Elgey sidelined for the entire season.
Taylor has quickly formed a slick combination with ex-Knights man Tyrone Roberts and, as a result, the Titans haven’t been shy in the points-scoring department.
There’s pace aplenty in the back division, with the likes of David Mead, Anthony Don, John Olive, Josh Hoffman and Nene Macdonald, but it is the Gold Coast forwards who have set a solid platform. They compete hard to dominate and ultimately win every ruck with fierce defence, clever off-loads and power running.
Newcomers Dave Shillington, Zeb Taia and Chris McQueen are competing as hard as any forwards in the league. Then you look at spearheads Greg Bird, Ryan James and Agnatius Paasi who have begun 2016 with a bang.
There are other Titans making significant contributions, such as Eddy Pettybourne, Kierran Moseley and Dan Mortimer, while evergreen Luke Douglas is ever-ready to do whatever job is required.
The Titans were dead and buried ten minutes into the second half at Canberra last weekend, but they found a way to get a sniff of victory and kept gnawing away until the resistance was broken.
Henry is widely regarded as an excellent tactician but he is moulding, motivating and encouraging this vastly underrated team to get results in a competition brimming with big names and huge reputations.
He and his team began the year without their main playmaker (Elgey), lost the experience of Nate Myles to Manly and, at the last minute, their try-scoring superstar, James Roberts, walked out to the Broncos.
Over-riding everything was Daly Cherry-Evans’ back-flip back to Manly – a vicious kick to the teeth if ever there was one for a battling club and team in a rebuilding phase.
The Gold Coast collectively deserve a five-star wrap. It’s a mystery why they haven’t got one.
Please accept it today lads, free of charge and agendas, from The Roar.
And go show everyone what you’ve got against the title favourites at Cbus Super Stadium on Friday.
Birdy
Guest
Interesting indeed Scott. You've hit the nail on the head with a bears merger . Zero trust from the fan base , relocation back to the CC would always be a reality. I personally don't like the name Titans much prefer the Giants but don't know if the coast would accept another name change. They want stability in all areas. I live north west of the GC and as many roarers have said , you see kids everywhere in some kind of a Titans gear. ps I was at the Giants v Broncos first game all those years ago , packed house, best game day experience I've ever had including all of my childhood at Leichardt . Well almost.
Scott
Guest
Titty Bears would be an interesting mascot. If they are based on the Gold Coast would it matter if they changed the name? Personally I believe both the Chargers and Titans had public support until Searles brain explosion. Giants and Seagulls suffered by playing at Tweed. The only issue with Bears would be the constant speculation over re-location which would be run by News Limited. This would be particularly damaging if it reflected reality but perception would be just as bad
Scott
Guest
Marshall, it is Cavill Avenue. From your comments i assume you support Brisbane, which is why a lot of people support anyone other than Brisbane
Scott
Guest
Marshall just to point out some people do care about the Titans. It isn't a story because News Limited strongly support Brisbane despite having the worst newspaper in the world on the Gold Coast
Birdy
Guest
Dean and DD, I'm actually a Balmain tigers die hard, a reluctant wests supporter and member. Living in seq I've often thought a G C merge would have been the way to go but the local supporters are no longer interested in Gold Coast mark 6.,,7..,,8.!!!!! Times up for the Titans it has to work this time and It will.
DoubleDown
Guest
Agreed, good luck birdy. (I mean that, don't want it to come off sarcastic) The new board does seem to be very competent. As much as I would love to see the Bears back, id much prefer it to be on our terms as opposed to the expense of someone else.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Good luck Birdy - no one likes to see their club fold.
scott
Guest
...shouldn't throw phones?
Muzz
Guest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpYeekQkAdc
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I don't think the Titans have earnt enough 'love capital' yet to be a media darling. But give them a few more successes and that will probably change.
Tripehound
Guest
I see the Titans have signed Wigan and England centre Dan Sarginson for next year.
Birdy
Guest
Correction, I meant Parkwood golf club . Shopping has a worse effect one than I realised.
Big J
Guest
Titans is one of the orginal five barry, and so there is no more confusion, my teams are storm, Cowboys, ranbitohs, Titans and the warriors. Yeah I'll be at the game, waving the Titans flag.
Birdy
Guest
Sorry Dean, and DD, Gold Coast RL supporters will not suffer the loss of another club . That includes relocation , closing down, merge or even take over by another club no matter how well intentioned that club may be. Norths or whoever. Unfortunately it is true that a very large number of would be should be Gold Coast supporters find it hard to take the Titans seriously. That will all change now that a competent board is in place and when the training facility at parklands golf club is complete , which has to be seen to be believed. And finally high quality signings and success on the field. Both achievable . The fans are there, they just need confidence that the titans will still be there tomorrow. Seriously DD if the Titans fail forget norths riding in on their white horses to save them , it will be too late!
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
I like the sound of the The Golden Bears. Home games against Melbourne, Canberra, NZ, Brisbane, Townsville, St George, Cronulla & Penrith played on The Gold Coast, with the other half played on The Central Coast.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Does that make 6 teams now big j or are they one of the original 5? Looking forward to Titans v Eels in June. Mark that one in your diaries folks.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
So the tree that falls is Greg Bird. The forest that he falls in is the Cbus Super Stadium. It happens after a training drill, whilst no one else is there to witness his muffled cries of pain. Confucius says that 7,813 members don't care............. but Laurie Daley does.
Agent11
Guest
Not too mention the Titans have a perfectly good stadium basically purposely built for them.
DoubleDown
Guest
The second leagues club isn't Burleigh, the two are Tweed and Norths. Yes, while I am a big fan of the proposed takeover. I do hope the Bears intensions are to have a serious go of making the Gold Coast work and thrive. i'm sure the NRL won't give them the licence if it isn't. The NRL are serious about improving on the amount of QLD teams in the NRL so I'm sure there will be clauses that prevent the Bears running out on the region. Another thing to consider is that the Bears are likely to burn their bridges with the Central Coast community in order to pursue this purchase and the NRL I don't think see the CC as a priority expansion market.
Dutski
Roar Guru
So we should stop the constructivism and whatnot?