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
John
Guest
The penalty count was Eels 8- Titans 6. I do believe that far too many games are influenced by the refs and that the momentum of games is often changed by the refs deliberately and strategically awarding innocuous penalties at crucial points. So I get your argument. The fact is that the way the Eels played this week, any team in the comp would have beat them. They were woeful.
John
Guest
The penalty count was 8-6 to the Titans
Minefield
Guest
Game invented in 1895!!!! Hometown come from behind win though the Eels were terrible in second half. Amazing how all Titans seem to pass concussion tests or did I miss one?/
Beavis
Guest
Parra hopeless in second half against under strength Titans - Hmmm - Humidity?
steveng
Roar Rookie
So what you're saying is; there were no doggie decisions by the refs? Racking of the ball in tackles, continual unrelated penalties to the Titans. I'm no Titans and/or Eels fan, I look at the game objectively, but this game was a 'one way' traffic to the Titans (I don't even know the penalty count) but it wasn't equal or went to the Eels. Yes, the Eels were poor especially in defence and dropped ball, but the relentless and continual penalties at crucial times to the Titans, is what broke the Eels and they had no chance to recover.
Nambawabn
Guest
Silly Post. The English Comp has been going since about 1880. The comp in Auckland from about 1920, plus several others!
Mathew Stealer
Guest
Paul there aren't any other comps in the World. Its very easy for the NRL to say that because nobody else cares
John
Guest
Mate, I am the first bloke to scrutinise and question the refs but I think your looking through your blue and gold glasses. The Eels were very poor tonight and would have been towelled by better opposition. The Titans were undermanned, low on confidence and form but courageous. The Eels might have played them back into their groove tonight. Nobody to blame but the 17 Eels players. The Eels forwards matched the Titans in patches only and apart from Gutherson and French who looked dangerous at times every other back looked either frustrated, indifferent or outright disinterested. As mentioned by Joe the integrity unit might need to monitor Semi's betting activities.
Paul
Guest
What a surprise, another game ruined by incompetent refs, you would think the outcome of some of these games had been decided before the kick off. Gold Coast couldn't win the toss in the last 3 games, Semi 3 tries last week, tonight he's got grease on his hands, what a sham. NRL promotes its self as the best RL comp, what a crock of s#@t.
Andrew
Guest
Pathetic effort from the eels, so bad from some players thy should be handing back their pay check. All titans tries scored down eels right side. Well done titans, gutsy win. Taylor and elgie were very good.
Andrew
Guest
Great team performance by the Titans well done. Question has to be asked big names missing and the first time this season the whole team putting in for each other
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Thank you to everyone who joined The Roar for this live blog, we look forward to seeing you all again soon!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
FULL TIME: Gold Coast Titans 26 – 14 Parramatta Eels
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
80' - That's the game! An incredible performance from the Titans, who not only came back from 12-points down, but did so with many injured players and their most inexperienced side. TITANS 26 EELS 14
Joe
Roar Rookie
Ash Taylor is going to be one of the greats. What a player. Controlled the game perfectly.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Amazing effort by the Titans.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
78' - Parramatta have two minutes to score two tries. Eels have a penalty and they tap and go. TITANS 26 EELS 14
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
75' - CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Taylor's kick, once again, is good. TITANS 26 EELS 14
Jack
Guest
Gutsy effort but te refs have to keep it fair.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
73' - TRY TITANS The video referee gives he green light! Gold Coast may have put this one to bed! TITANS 24 EELS 14