The Gold Coast Titans have denied the Penrith Panthers their chance to win three matches in a row, with a late try from Anthony Don giving the visitors a 4-point win.
REPORT: DON WINNERS STUNS PANTHERS
Final score
Panthers 24
Titans 28
Two teams stuck in the middle of the ladder log jam will be looking for a crucial win when the Penrith Panthers host the Gold Coast Titans at Pepper Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2pm (AEST).
After an indifferent start to the season without captain Matthew Moylan, the Panthers have won two games in a row jumping up to seventh on the table. Coming off a one-point win over the Canberra Raiders, Penrith backed it up with a well-earned win over the New Zealand Warriors in Christchurch by 12 points.
Having been on the end of a few big losses, the Titans looked as if they found a spark on Monday night with a 20-point win over the Sydney Roosters. Questions still remain over the ability of the Titans to string good games together though, with just one pair of back to back wins seeing them sit 11th on the ladder.
In team news Anthony Griffin has shown faith in his team by naming an unchanged line-up from the one that got the points in New Zealand. Meanwhile, the Titans lose David Mead with a knee injury. Nene McDonald takes his place on the wing and former Parramatta Eels hooker Nathan Peats will make his first appearance, being named on the bench.
While the head-to-head record is fairly even, the experience in the Panthers spine from the likes of Jamie Soward, Peter Wallace and Matthew Moylan vastly outweighs the Titans with Tyrone Roberts playing alongside the less experienced William Zillman and Ashley Taylor.
Prediction
Given a more settled lineup and the fact they have some players who will be looking to impress Laurie Daley one more time, the Panthers will be too strong.
Panthers by 12 points.
Can the Panthers establish themselves as a top eight side or will the Titans continue their march towards the eight?
Join The Roar for live coverage from 2pm (AEST) to find out as the two sides face off and don’t forget to get involved by leaving a comment below.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Titans were awesome again today. Never say die attitude especially in defense. This after playing on Monday and traveling. Very gutsy effort and shows Monday was no fluke. I'll say it again...smoky for the 8. Go Titans.
Widget
Roar Guru
Match Summary After a thrilling 80 minute contest, the Gold Coast Titans have claimed an upst win over the Penrith Panthers by four points. In a game that had plenty of ebbs and flows, it was the Titans who pulled out a big play when it counted to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The game got off to an ominous start for the Titans with Will Zillman handing Dallin Watene Zalezniak the first try of the game. From there the teams traded tries for the rest of the game, with neither able to find any dominance on the scoreboard. A late try to Agnatius Paasi in the first half levelled the scores for the Titans after the Panthers squandered numerous chances in attack. The teams traded two tries a piece in the second half as the momentum continually shifted until the Titans landed the final blow. In a game riddled with errors it was only fitting that the winning try came from one of them. With just minutes on the clock the Panthers looked set to try for a field goal but when Peter Wallace was shut down, he threw the ball to Tyrone Peachey who knocked on and with great presence of mind the Titans played the advantage and after almost making a mess of things, Anthony Don crossed in the corner to snatch a four point win. The win will give the Titan plenty of confidence in their quest to get into the top eight while the Panthers will be wondering how they lost this one with a loss putting their spot in the top eight on tin ice. In terms of the leaders in the stats for the game, Ryan James was the tackle leader with 48 for the Titans, while Matt Moylan had 181 running metres for the Panthers to lead all players for the game. Votes: A tough bunch to pick because of the scrappy play early and the fact that a number of players put their hand up late in the game. My man of the match isn't a surprise, while they are without Kane Elgey for 2016, the time and experience Ash Taylor is gaining is producing great reward for the Titans. The young halfback just seemed to be in the right place at the right time and he always knew what had to be done to get the job done. My two votes may annoy some people but Jamie Soward's accurate field kicking and his ability to take on the Titans line was crucial for his side. My last vote goes to one of the big boys and I think that 48 tackles and 120 running metres justifies Ryan James being in here. In terms of those that just missed out on the votes, Matt Moylan and James Segeyaro were both close for the Panthers and despite his errors, Greg Bird was big factor for the Titans. 3- Ash Taylor (Titans) 2- Jamie Soward (Panthers) 1- Ryan James (Titans)
jamesb
Guest
Titans are looking good in the halves once Elgey comes back..Geez, Qld can produce so many halves, while NSW can't produce one.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
The Titans knocked off the Raiders in Round 4 after they were down 16 points with 20 minutes to go. I was filthy with the Raiders at the time but you have to give some credit to the Titans. They just never give up. Again in this match despite some pretty ordinary call in the final few minutes the Titans found something to win. Nathan Peats and Ash Taylor were great in the last 10 minutes. Loving the league this season. Glad I'm not tipping.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
As long as Taylor and Paasi get some points I think you're in roughly the right place!
Widget
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining me today folks for this cracker of a game. Keep an eye out for my match summary which will be up soon and I will include my 3, 2 and 1 votes! Thoughts on who should get the votes Roarers? Make sure you stay with us on The Roar and head over to our coverage of the Roosters and Bulldogs game, set to kick-off soon.
Widget
Roar Guru
Such a tough and scrappy team that never seem to give up in the tight games. Hard not to like them.
Widget
Roar Guru
The kid has something special abut him as a footballer.
Widget
Roar Guru
Full time! The Titans pull off something truly special. Winners by four points over the Panthers. The game started with a try from an error and finished with a try from an error. Panthers 24 def. by Titans 28
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Great awareness from young Ash Taylor again. Bad drop from Peachey but worse decision making from Penrith to have the ball out there -- 3 mins left, 20 out, that's drop goal time.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yeah the Rabbits will ave a game on their hands in Perth in round 13
Zedman
Roar Rookie
The footy gods have spoken, Titans deserved winners.
Widget
Roar Guru
'80 Short kick-off, Titans save the ball. Panthers 24 Titans 28
Widget
Roar Guru
'78 Try Titans! Wallace has his field goal attempt shut down, Peachey knocks on, Titans recover the ball and go down to score through Anthony Don. Absolute mayhem at Pepper Stadium. Titans in front in the final minutes. Taylor misses the conversion, its not over yet! Panthers 24 Titans 28
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
God I love the Titans. Talk about never giving up. Easily my second favourite team.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Bad mistake by Peachy and the Titans nearly blew that, great try.
Widget
Roar Guru
'77 Error by the Titans and the Panthers have the ball. Panthers 24 Titans 24
Widget
Roar Guru
'76 Looked ugly off the boot but Ash Taylor levels the score. Panthers 24 Titans 24
Planko
Guest
Come on Titans Penrith have been gifted this game and they can't win it even with all their 50 50 calls
steve b
Roar Guru
the worst refs in the game coast have to best them to win