Despite missing Wade Graham, Luke Lewis and Paul Gallen from their forward pack, Cronulla have showed plenty of defensive grit to beat the Titans 10-9 in drizzling conditions at Cbus Super Stadium.
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Final score
Gold Coast Titans 9
Cronulla Sharks 10
The Gold Coast Titans finally have a home game, hosting the Cronulla Sharks in Round 8 at Cbus Super Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 5:30pm (AEST).
This will be the first time the Titans have played at home since their Round 1 clash against Canberra, having taken games to Toowoomba and Gladstone to avoid clashing with the Commonwealth Games.
They’re coming off the back of losses to Penrith and the Cowboys, so will be keen to get their season back on track with a win.
Coach Garth Brennan has made a couple of changes, with five-eighth Kane Elgey and winger Tyrone Roberts-Davis dropped, Bryce Cartwright to wear the number 6 jersey and Phillip Sami returning to the wing after playing centre last week. Brendan Elliot has been brought in to play centre, and Morgan Boyle returns to the bench after a week out with concussion.
For Cronulla, backrow veteran Luke Lewis is out with a calf problem, but captain Wade Graham returns from a hamstring injury. Jason Bukuya is also back on the bench after overcoming a groin strain.
Coach Shane Flanagan will be looking for consistency from his Sharks team. They had a good win over Penrith last week and, currently sitting in ninth spot, a win would likely see them sneak into the top eight.
Prediction
Titans by 7.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 5:30pm (AEST).
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I have never, ever felt that a team could go back-to-back. Certainly not in the last decade. But the Storm are so far ahead of the rest it is embarrassing. They have been playing poorly, yet remain in the Top 4. Their performance against the Warriors was just a taste of what they are capable of. We saw it begin to develop v the Broncos. Getting rid of Croft was an obvious decision. They now have an exceptional spine, top forward pack and some of the best outside backs in the game. Couple that with the fact that every other team is pretty average and it is their comp to lose. The Dragons look the most balanced of the rest. But plenty of questions remain which I hope they dispel as the year progresses. Who else is there? Warriors, maybe. Panthers with a full deck. Then nothing.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Yeah I had storm from kick off last year mate and didn’t sway once... I don’t think they will go back to back this year. Apart from the outstanding win against the warriors and I haven’t seen too much to suggest it will be a repeat of 2017 as yet. This is generally the time of the year, the reigning premiers start raising the back2back questions.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
True Rene. But I didn’t come to that conclusion until mid to late June. This year we are still in April and I can’t see the Storm not going back-to-back. And it’s not like they have started that well either. It’s just that the other teams are mostly average. Dragons excepted. They might be the surprise packets.
Bonza
Guest
Can't believe I'm commenting on commentary but this must be said. Shambolic. Apart from lacking enthusiasm, insight, and any hint of humour Matt Noble was great. Teamed up with Corey Parker who as a colourful commentator makes a great middle field forward. But the icing on the cake for me was Neil Henry who did his best after apparently taking 25 elephant tranquilizers before kick off. Vossy saved the day as he does.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Haha, pretty much
Muzz
Guest
Agree eJ.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
I agree, that could be a really important 2 points for them down the track.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Youch!
JVGO
Guest
1955-1966 maybe
Renegade
Roar Guru
2017 mate... there were 15 of them!
Renegade
Roar Guru
Thanks John!
Emcie
Roar Guru
thanks for the call John
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining me on tonight’s coverage, hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to leave your comments on the game.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Match report CRONULLA 10 GOLD COAST 9 Despite missing Wade Graham, Luke Lewis and Paul Gallen from their forward pack, Cronulla have showed plenty of defensive grit to beat the Titans 10-9 in drizzling conditions at Cbus Super Stadium. It was a scrappy game in greasy conditions, but went down to the wire with both teams trading field goals inside the last four minutes. First Titans’ halfback Ash Taylor levelled the scores at 9-9 with a one-pointer just three and a half minutes before full-time. That looked like it would take the game to golden point, before his opposite number Chad Townsend slotted his second field of the game two minutes later to give his team the two points. Townsend had earlier kicked a field goal a minute before half-time to give the Sharks a 9-2 half-time lead. Cronulla scored their only two tries of the match in the first half. The first came in the 11th minute after Titans’ fullback Michael Gordon spilled a Chad Townsend bomb. Centre Jesse Ramien picked up the loose ball and offloaded to Valentine Holmes who scored out wide. Edrick Lee scored Cronulla’s second try six minutes before halftime after being on the end of a Josh Dugan cut out ball that allowed him to score untouched in the corner. The Titans scored the only try of the second half just four minutes in, when hard-working hooker Mitch Rein burrowed his way over from dummy half. Both teams were willing in defence but struggled in attack in the conditions. Cronulla will be happy to come away with the two points, especially with their depleted forward pack. It's their second win in a row, while the Titans have slumped to their third straight loss.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Can’t think of a season with so many teams just making up the numbers.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Yeah that game just had the worst commentary of all time I reckon...
Emcie
Roar Guru
Well I'm none from 6...
Renegade
Roar Guru
Townsend under all sorts of pressure and nails it - great field goal that one! Not a spectacular game but a resilient and professional win from the sharkies through outstanding defence.... another valuable 2 points.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Full-time The hooter sounds and its victory for CRONULLA! GOLD COAST 9 CRONULLA 10
John Coomer
Roar Guru
79’ The Titans try a short kick off but the Sharks have it! GOLD COAST 9 CRONULLA 10