The Gold Coast Titans have continued a late-season revival with a 20-point win over the Cronulla Sharks in extremely wet conditions.
Final score
Gold Coast Titans 30
Cronulla Sharks 10
After a stunning win in the corresponding match earlier this season, the Gold Coast Titans will need to find a way to knock over the Cronulla Sharks again if they are to keep their season alive. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEST).
The Titans weren’t supposed to get close to the Sharks when the sides met in Round 8, but a fantastic comeback victory away from home gave their season a much-needed boost.
Injuries have cruelled the Gold Coast’s season, but the excuse only goes so far. They have fought hard, but have been lacking in a lot of basics, and it shows on the ladder. Neil Henry’s men now sit in 14th place with just six wins from their 16 games.
Given the qualification for finals football is going to be at least 28 points and more than likely 30, a loss here would turn every remaining game into a must-win situation.
The Titans have won two on the trot coming into this game, but the Tigers and struggling Dragons don’t say a whole lot, especially when they got smashed by the Rabbitohs the week before.
They make too many mistakes. It’s simple errors cruelling them, and if they can cut that out they have a big chance at getting into contests.
Luckily for the Titans ahead of this game, if there is one team who makes more errors and makes life tough for themselves, it’s the Sharks.
The Sharks have managed to put themselves on the back foot in just about every game this season. Silly penalties, bad errors and a general lack of patience in attack – something they did extremely well last year – have all gone out the window.
Instead, they seem to be trying to score on every set of six, and only their strong defence and will to come from behind and win contests is keeping them at the pointy end of the ladder.
The form of James Maloney has major question marks over it, and if he can’t stand up the Sharks making a deep run in September is up in the air.
The Sharks do sit in second place on 26 points, just one or two wins from qualification for the finals.
A win over the Sydney Roosters was as impressive as it gets leading into the bye, and if they can continue that form the chance of being beaten appears slim.
In team news, Kurt Capewell is onto the reserves for the Sharks, while James Segeyaro is a chance at playing and fixing the Sharks hooking conundrum. The Titans, meanwhile are unchanged.
Prediction
Despite the Sharks favouritism for the clash, the Titans are going to be desperate, and that’s when they have been at their best this season. Cronulla are still yet to be thoroughly convincing, so I’ll take the Titans at home in a close one.
Titans by 2.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this all-important Round 19 clash from 7:30pm (AEST) and don’t forget to get involved by dropping a comment in the section below.
RM
Guest
How long before we see Taylor vs Cleary going head to head in the Origin arena? Was great to see two young 7's putting in dominant performances for their teams. I'd rate Taylor's game this weekend ahead of Cleary's since it was against the Sharks instead of the Warriors (and in far worse conditions)...but then again I would say that, as a Queenslander. No real argument against anyone who rates Cleary as the most promising, but I tell you what, they are both exciting talents!
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
How good are modern stadiums? That game would have turned into a mud bowl in front of 86 people at a suburban ground in Sydney...
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Certainly possible, but they've made it very difficult for themselves -- yes a lot of injuries early, but they also put in some real dud performances.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Wasn't expecting that result and especially the scoreline. 30-0 at one point. Really hope the Titans can sneak into the finals. They have the team to take some big scalps. Next week against the Panthers is going to be crunch time for the two teams.
M.O.C.
Roar Guru
It seems that since game 1 of SOO, Fifita has forgotten how to run straight!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full match report will follow. Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2017 NRL Season as the Gold Coast Titans picked up a big win over the Cronulla Sharks. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. We will be back from 2pm (AEST) tomorrow as Round 19 continues with the Manly Sea Eagles hosting the Wests Tigers. John Coomer will be in the chair to take you through that one. Be sure to hang around on The Roar this evening. The women's Wimbledon final will be on from 11pm (AEST) as Venus Williams plays Garbine Muguruza. I'll be covering the men's final from 11pm (AEST) tomorrow night with Roger Federer playing Marin Cilic. Bye for now.
Renegade
Roar Guru
I think they can, means they can only drop one more game.... but if they can keep everyone on the park - it's not impossible.
Renegade
Roar Guru
I'd say his still drunk from the QLD celebrations! Sharks were never going to win this game.... they were so poor backing up after origin 2 with just the one training session, it was a given that this match would be similar.... but the Titans were very, very good - shouldn't take anything away from them. Anyways, thank god the Origin period is over!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME That'll do it! The Gold Coast pick up a victory. The Sharks tried for another try, but none of it would have mattered, the ball eventually disappearing over the dead ball line. The Titans keep their season alive with a 20-point win. Gold Coast Titans 30 Cronulla Sharks 10
Scott Pryde
Expert
79' - Copley brings it away from the scrum and he is tackled, before Zillman works it through the middle and is tackled. Peteru and Zillman has a second run for the set, before they come over halfway on the right through Proctor. Last play and Taylor rolls the kick into touch. Everyone's just about had enough of this match. 80 seconds to go. Titans 30 Sharks 10
Scott Pryde
Expert
78' - Fifita brings it left off the scrum before Gallen is trapped with it. They come right and Lewis gets an offload to Prior, who is held in the middle of the field. Segeyaro goes from dummy half now and offloads, with Leutele ending up tackled on halfway out near the sideline. Now Gallen with it and he will take a hit-up. Last play and it's Townsend to Lewis, then for Capewell who grubbers, but the kick will roll into touch. Titans 30 Sharks 10
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION MISSED by VALENTINE HOLMES Titans 30 Sharks 10
Scott Pryde
Expert
76' - TRY SHARKS, SOSAIA FEKI Graham brings it away from the scrum for the Sharks, before Townsend dumps it off for Prior who is held metres out. Left now through Graham who is put to ground by Taylor and Proctor. They stay down that short side again through Holmes and he throws a cut out ball for Feki who runs over to score, straightening up a little bit. The Sharks with a second consolation try and all of a sudden the scoreline is looking a little less of a reflection of the match. Titans 30 Sharks 10
Scott Pryde
Expert
74' - It's a deep kick-off to get us back underway and Capewell brings it forward before they spread it left and Fifita is able to offload for Leutele. Feki from dummy half and linking with Graham over halfway, before they spread back to the right and Holmes goes to Capewell on the wing who is trapped. Immediately back to the left and the Gold Coast knock on trying for some desperation defence. Titans 30 Sharks 6
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Interesting to see what happens if they manage to sneak into the 8, but that's an enormous ask.
Scott Pryde
Expert
73' - Looks like Jack Bird has gone off with an injury after setting up that consolation try. Titans 30 Sharks 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL by VALENTINE HOLMES Titans 30 Sharks 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
72' - TRY SHARKS, KURT CAPEWELL The Sharks come up to halfway and it's all happening here - they spread right through Holmes and his inside ball goes to ground with Townsend unable to get to it. The Titans then give away six again with Townsend picking it back up, beating a few before he finds Gallen. Gallen then offloads to Bird who throws a short ball in a four on three situation to Capewell and he crashes over to score. Titans 30 Sharks 4
Renegade
Roar Guru
Agree!