The Gold Coast Titans have pushed the Sydney Roosters all the way to the brink in an amazing performance against a team seeking to lock in a top two spot.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Sydney Roosters 20
Gold Coast Titans 14
The Sydney Roosters and the Gold Coast Titans face off at Allianz Stadium, in something of a curious game for both teams in terms of motivation. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3pm (AEST).
While appearing as a mismatch of epic proportions… who am I kidding? This is a mismatch of epic proportions.
The Roosters have all but locked up second spot on the ladder and would have to concede considerable points in a shock loss to an undermanned Titans to slip to third.
Gold Coast are missing key players Dale Copley, Nathan Peats, Tyrone Roberts and Jarrod Wallace – who join Ryan James on the pine – and are fielding an incredibly young squad. More importantly, they have had their hearts tested in recent weeks, as a departing coach and a controversial marquee man have created unwanted headlines.
The Tricolours are essentially injury-free and will want to put in a polished performance to create maximum momentum leading into the finals.
Contrastingly, the Titans field a development team and debut another player in the top grade. They have played 34 players this season and their inconsistent form is a reflection of shuffled line-ups from week to week, where little or no continuity has been established.
Prediction
With a fit roster and a minuscule chance of losing a top-two position, the Roosters will still find enough motivation to send the Titans off to their post-season activities with another embarrassing loss.
Roosters 46-8 Titans
Catch all the action on The Roar from 3pm (AEST).
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Just the thought of supporting the Roosters..............ugh!
M.O.C.
Roar Guru
In the Souths game Bryson Goodwin was deemed onside by the video ref for not having both feet behind the kicker despite the fact he was running and his front foot was in the air (back foot was ok). Radradra contested a ball off a bomb despite being a good 2m offside and about 1m away from a touchie and nothing. The Titans have a try scored against them to lose the lead in the final 10 minutes of what could have been the biggest upset of the year - video ref used? No, certain try. Don't worry SportsBet, your $9 odds are safe.....
M.O.C.
Roar Guru
Lots and lots of bitter instead as the refereeing this season has left a rather nasty taste in my mouth.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
It costs them a home final........Bennet's mob very relevent to this game. Tipping a dominant victory by the roosters? Egg on face? I think we might all be in that boat.
Mushi
Guest
Did you have any beers during the match, or did you stick to the whine?
Mushi
Guest
Titans were paying $9 to win mate
Scott Pryde
Expert
You're probably right on that front.
Roberto
Guest
oops sorry meant "inappropriate", apologies blogging team. a titans win was never going to happen, that disappointment & Sydney travel booking already happened after the Eels lose - we all know that ;-)
BigJ
Roar Guru
Sadly your right, its seems that thr Nrl is more scrpited then the WWe all the reasonto get gambling out of sport
Scott Pryde
Expert
Stuart doesn't support the Roosters - let's go easy on the blogging team huh Roberto? We all spend hours working to make this coverage top-notch, and it wasn't a 'stupid comment' - far from it. Wayne Bennett would be disappointed because he now has to travel to Sydney next weekend.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks M.O.C. Many thought it would be a dud. I had a funny feeling their might be something in it. Good contest. Poor Roosters.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Sorry a little late with the report. Had to write is twice thanks to a malfunction. Think I spilled a little ginger beer on the keys during all the excitement. A good game of footy. The next one coming up might be even better. Any thoughts?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
» Click here to read the full match report FULL TIME Roosters 20 Titans 16
Roberto
Guest
I know Emcie, such a stupid comment from the blogger...he probably supports the Roosters hence the 36 point win predication. Embarrassing win for the Roosters, not a great win by any stretch.
M.O.C.
Roar Guru
Check the onfield refs earpiece for calls from SportsBet and the NRL's scriptwriters.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Absolutely terrible season by the Titans this year, this time last year they were possibily looking down the barrell of a premiership and breaking the Gold Coast curse. Instead of having what should of been thier best season they lost thier coach and pretty much all thier credibility in the process
Emcie
Roar Guru
Broncos needed the titans to win to secure a home final
M.O.C.
Roar Guru
Thanks for the call Stuart.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Why is Hayne kicking off??? Poor game by both teams. The titans for losing thier lead again and the Roosters for not putting in an 80 minute effort. Against the Storm they will as they did a couple of weeks ago they'll come up short. Roosters fans dong get to excited your not going to win this year.
M.O.C.
Roar Guru
Hard to believe some of the soft gifted penalties for the Chooks at the end which carry the same punishment as carelessly knocking a guy out. The refs seemed a little biased today, not that the Titans needed more obsticles- they have a heavy passenger on their "plane" already.