Roar Guru
Full time: Gold Coast Titans 26 – 14 Parramatta Eels
Parramatta started off on the front foot, testing the inexperienced Titans backline early.
The Titans would only be able to hold off the Eels for nine minutes, as Clinton Gutherson put the ball down between the posts, before converting his own try.
Shortly after, Jeff Robson added a second for the Eels, taking advantage of some great play by Semi Radradra.
Things went from bad to worse for the Titans, as they lost another man to injury. This time William Zillman would be forced off the field.
Just as it looked like Parramatta would run all over the Titans, Gold Coast found some new life and got on the offensive.
Their attack was messy at times, but effective in the end, as the Titans got one back through Chris McQueen.
Ashley Taylor converted to bring the Titans back
From there it would be end-to-end football for the rest of the half, but it was the Titans who made the most of their attack, with Tyler Cornish getting his first ever try with just three seconds left in the half.
Taylor would make the kick from the sideline under pressure and the half would end 12-all.
Neither team looked to slow down in the second half, and the Titans took an early two-point lead via a converted penalty from Gutherson.
From there, the Eels would make mistake after mistake, before the Titans finally managed to punish Parramatta for it via Kane Elgey as the home side went ahead for the first time in the match.
Taylor would convert that, and then a penalty shortly after to give his side a six-point lead.
Tyrone Roberts then went on to score seven minutes from time, and Taylor’s kick meant that the Titans would lead by 12.
Gold Coast will hold on for a famous victory. After what seemed like endless injuries, their most inexperienced side would give the Eels their first loss of the season in an incredible game of rugby league.
The final score in Robina, Gold Coast Titans 26, Parrmatta Eels 14.
The Gold Coast Titans are searching for their first win of the 2017 season when they host the unbeaten Parramatta Eels. Join The Roar from 8:05pm (AEDT) for live scores and commentary.
The Titans are having a rough start to the season, coming off back-to-back losses at the hands of the Sydney Roosters and the Newcastle Knights.
Gold Coast will be desperate for a positive result against the Eels, who currently sit atop the NRL ladder, however their run of bad luck seems to have not yet run out.
The Titans are without star fullback Jarryd Hayne, who will miss at least six weeks due to ligament issues in his ankle. The injury has forced the debut of Tyler Cornish, who has a big opportunity to prove that he is ready for first grade rugby league.
Parramatta have injury woes of their own, with a hamstring problem keeping halfback Corey Norman out of the squad. Norman was a key aspect in the Eels dominance in possession, and his absence gives Titans a glimmer of hope.
Despite the loss of Norman, Parramatta have the quality in their side to maintain possession, only making 17 errors so far this season – the second-best in the league.
Prediction
The Titans are on a five-game losing streak including last season, and their slow starts have been costing them dearly.
If the Eels can start quickly and keep the ball, they should maintain their unbeaten run.
Parramatta by 12