Ashley Taylor endured a horror homecoming as St George Illawarra destroyed his Gold Coast side in Toowoomba on Sunday.
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Final score
Gold Coast Titans 8
St George Illawarra Dragons 54
Round 3 of the NRL season continues this afternoon as the Gold Coast Titans host the St George Illawarra Dragons in Toowoomba. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 4:10pm AEDT.
The Dragons will look to continue their strong start to the season. They followed up their first up win over the Broncos with a come from behind win against the Sharks, in the local derby, just over a week ago.
That was a scrappy game of football with the Dragons’ superior completion rate eventually wearing down the error-ridden Sharks.
Having said that, there is a lot to like about the Dragons this season. The addition of Ben Hunt has provided Gareth Widdop with some new found freedom and James Graham has provided starch to an already strong pack.
The Gold Coast Titans were a popular pick for wooden spooners not so long ago but they have made a reasonable start to the season, losing away in Auckland to the Warriors but edging out the Raiders in a first round thriller at home.
They welcome back Ash Taylor this week. He and Kane Elgey are key to what the Titans can achieve this year, whilst we wait to see what Bryce Cartwright can bring to the team as he gets used to the set up. Jarrod Wallace will also play his first game for the Titans this weekend after serving a suspension.
The money is firmly on the Dragons here but the last 5 clashes have the Titans with the 3-2 edge.
Admittedly, the last match up was a resounding win to the Dragons but the Titans had won 2 of 3 homes games prior to that.
Prediction
The Dragons are one of the form teams in the NRL so far this season and I expect that trend to continue this weekend.
The Titans should provide some stiff competition but I’m predicting the Dragons in a tight one.
St George by 6
BigJ
Roar Guru
We all have a bad day mate
Bill
Guest
Another Huge crowd Matt! Maybe they should have played the "World"Cup final there. It may have just sold out
Shae
Guest
Absolutely terrible experience. Will never return. Was pretty excited to see Our Gold Coast Titans in Toowoomba. But the stadium is horrible. Only minimum grand stand seating which was sold out so we had General admission which I thought would be fine but that was a free for all stand on a patch of grass with no shade at all. Made us leave stroller at bag check, so 6 month old baby was suffering in the heat and uncomfortable conditions. Had to leave early so huge waste of money and time. Your aloud disabled wheelchairs, scooters for the elderly but no stroller for a child that cant walk. Facility's are terrible not family friendly at all. Very disgusted and out of pocket $170 for a game we didn't watch. Can not believe this is how the NRL want to make waves in Toowoomba or get memberships for Titans. Titans played ridiculously bad and they were trying to sell memberships. Thats a laugh and half.
farqueue
Guest
Only 52 out... Can't wait for your next pick.
1st&10
Guest
2nd that - Wade Graham (solid 1st grader, but not rep standard)
Kenw
Guest
Hahaha - hindsight bites sometimes doesn't it?
David Holden
Roar Guru
Wow. Hopes were high for the Titans this afternoon with the return of Ash Taylor and a reasonable start to the season. Unfortunately for them, they were completely dominated by a Dragons team that were simply too good. The Dragons dominated the middle all day with Frizzell and de Belin having standout games. With all that go forward, Widdop and Hunt had plenty of room to move and the outside backs cashed in. The Titans were their own worst enemy on multiple occasions and now have to try and bounce back to play the Broncos next Sunday at Suncorp. The Dragons, meanwhile, meet the Knights in the Illawarra. Should be a classic. Hope you enjoyed this afternoon's coverage. Please stay around for the Roosters and Knights coming up shortly. Can't wait for this one,
Nat
Roar Guru
Very good game by the Saints. I may have under estimated young Dufty pre-season (admittedly knowing nothing about him) but he's strong and pure pace who backs himself. Seems their backs are promising plenty where the forwards were their biggest asset last year. Still early but promising signs.
souvalis
Guest
Gareth Widdop..wow..playing with the Titans..
David Holden
Roar Guru
80' Conversion is good and we have full time Gold Coast 8 St George Illawarra 54
David Holden
Roar Guru
79' The Dragons go left. Nice offload from Sims, Widdop grubbers through and Lafai in for his hatrrick. TRY Gold Coast 8 St George Illawarra 52
bear54
Not a Dragons fan but really enjoy watching them play this season. Looking forward to them playing Melbourne or the Roosters to see how they compete. Matt Dufty is a great little player.
David Holden
Roar Guru
78' Forward pass from Titans out of dummy half and they have now completed the stupid mistakes list for this week Gold Coast 8 St George Illawarra 48
David Holden
Roar Guru
77' Dragons kick from half way and Don takes the bomb Gold Coast 8 St George Illawarra 48
Emcie
Roar Guru
Dragons might have this
David Holden
Roar Guru
76' Titans play out set but it looks messy. Dragons working it away Gold Coast 8 St George Illawarra 48
David Holden
Roar Guru
75' Short kick off from Titans but Dragons defuse it. Inside pass to Dufty but the Titans handle it. Changeover Gold Coast 8 St George Illawarra 48
David Holden
Roar Guru
74' Conversion is good Gold Coast 8 St George Illawarra 48
Emcie
Roar Guru
Geez, Titans have been woeful this half
David Holden
Roar Guru
72' Party time for the Dragons. Only question is whether they reach 50. Widdop makes line break and kicks ahead. Dufty is first to the ball and is in. TRY and we have an official carve up. Gold Coast 8 St George Illawarra 46