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Titans fans scream for Tanah Boyd as weekends bench rotation is questioned

Declan new author
Roar Rookie
26th August, 2019
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Declan new author
Roar Rookie
26th August, 2019
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With two more rounds of footy left to play out, the Gold Coast Titans have decided to have awards night early, officially claiming the 2019 wooden spoon after a 24-8 loss from minor premiers Melbourne Storm.

Although the first half looked promising to the visiting Titans, the Storm showed in the second half why the two teams are on opposite ends of the ladder. Gold Coast have been under a microscope since the season’s beginning, being questioned on their off-season signings, team tactics and players’ individual performances.

But something the Titans haven’t been questioned about is their very strange bench rotation.

At the start of the 2019 season, the Titans had a bench line to be expected. A utility back in AJ Brimson, a prop in Moeaki Fotuaika, a prop/lock in Max King and a second-row in Bryce Cartwright. As the weeks went on and injuries occurred, more and more odd players were put in that number 14 jumper. Players including wingers Phillip Sami and Jesse Arthars, centre Brenko Lee and fullback Michael Gordon.

In their most recent game against the Storm, Titans held an interchange of Brimson, Jai Whitbread, Jarrod Wallace and Brenko Lee, who would later be ruled out with Bryce Cartwright taking his spot. Brimson has been the Titans superstar up-and-comer for the past two seasons, yet regardless of fan cries, he is always second choice fullback over Michael Gordon who has been in mediocre form.

It is also questionable as to why Brenko Lee was chosen on the bench originally. Was the idea to take a winger or centre off to have an injury carrying Lee to be a liability on the edge? Possibly the plan for Lee was to just have him fill a spot on the team sheet as his replacement, Bryce Cartwright, didn’t get a second of game time on the weekend.

Although the Titans have been plagued with injuries taking claim to many star players, including captain Ryan James and co-captain Tyrone Roberts, it is unusual as to why the coaching staff would choose a replacement fullback/halfback and a replacement centre/winger on their interchange, especially when fans and supporters can see multiple better options.

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A possible option fans have been asking for is to give new signing and successful schoolboy halfback Tanah Boyd his NRL debut in replacement for makeshift five-eighth Tyrone Peachey who could replace Lee/Cartwright on the bench.

The Gold Coast junior who represented his country and state while carving up the schoolboys competition at Keebra Park State School is an exciting sign for the future of the Titans, yet unlike Tom Deardon, Bronson Xerri and other fresh school-leavers who have made their debut this year, Titans don’t feel like giving Boyd his debut is necessary.

The Titans come up against a beaten-down Newcastle Knights this Saturday. With both teams playing for pride, let’s hope this Tuesday we see some sense in the Titans team list and possibly see a young gun make his dream a reality.

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