Coming off a dominant yet competitive performance against the Sharks, the Dragons this week have a match against the Titans, which could give us an early look at the 2020 wooden spoon recipients.
Against the Sharks last week, the Dragons showed what they’re truly capable of by using the ball better than they have all year.
Also, their defence gave more than their prior performances, with gutsy tackles and the ability to force errors. In stark contrast, their amount of penalties conceded is undoubtedly something they will need to work on.
But on a positive note, their ball control and ruck speed are surely a highlighted point for Paul McGregor, who needs a repeat of last week’s performance to show he’s the real deal.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
On the other side of this match, the Gold Coast Titans are coming off a touch-up from South Sydney, led by Latrell Mitchell. The Titans showed heartfelt effort throughout the match, but there was no excuse for the play on offence and defence alike.
This side looked completely different to the side who had won their first game of the year only a week prior. While they were able to force a respectable four dropouts and only conceded two penalties to Souths’ nine, there was much left to desire.
With nothing short of a laughable amount of errors (16), they put themselves light years behind the opposition with a lack of discipline. In defence, it wasn’t much better, with 36 missed tackles. The Titans showed that while their effort has increased tremendously, it’s maybe back to basics for training this week.
With both sides on possibly their last legs for the season, a win here is critical. Not only for ladder position, but jobs, seen on both sides with Justin Holbrook’s readiness to drop players to bring in younger talent, and McGregor’s job hanging by a thread.
The Titans have the edge this week. This is due to the additions looking to come into the line-up. This includes Corey Thompson, a former Tigers utility back who joined the Titans this week on a three-year deal and looks poised to make an immediate impact, being instantly put in at fullback.
With no current answer at fullback while AJ Brimson is out, Thompson could be the perfect solution. This would give Phillip Sami the ability to excel at his natural position of winger, where his best work is seen.
A name seen in the line-up for the past few weeks, which I predict is one of the few to be set in stone, is Moeaki Fotuaika. He has shown his skill on both sides of the ball, producing possibly the best work out of all the Titans’ forwards.
He’s one of the younger guys on the team. This takes a lot of pressure off him as he isn’t expected to lead the charge yet. Don’t be shocked to see a man-of-the-match performance from Fotuaika. His style of play links very cohesively to Holbrook’s style, giving hope to a recently lacklustre forward pack.
(Photo by Dave Howarth/PA Images via Getty Images)
However, the Dragons cannot be counted out by any stretch of the imagination. The side is coming off a very impressive performance against the Sharks, beating them convincingly, 30-16. The Dragons have shown they have what it takes to be competitive, but the side seems to lack a week-to-week consistency, like their opponents the Titans.
While small, a 2000-fan-led boost could possibly give the Titans the edge, with the lack of cheers surely taking a toll on the players. The lucky fans chosen to be seated in Suncorp for this match will bring their all in their cheers and support.
Both sides have been unable to come out week after week and impress. This trend will undoubtedly be confirmed this Saturday.
Whether or not either team shows up and plays to their ability is yet to be seen, but it looks to make this match-up of the bottom dwellers an all-or-nothing game.
This week may decide the 2020 season for both sides, with the winner having the luxury of escaping the dreaded 15th or 16th spots (depending on the result of the Sharks versus Bulldogs match-up on Sunday night).
The winner of this match will be the team with more hustle and discipline, both scarce at times for these sides. There is no doubt this game will go to the wire, but I believe the Titans will pull off a late-game stunner to win a closely fought affair.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Picking Saab & dumping Pereira would be a good start, Saab is a huge aerial threat versus Pereira who offers nothing.
RobT
Roar Rookie
I'd take the field over these two teams in a wooden spoon market.
Admiral Ackbar
Guest
Battle for the wooden spoon? Oh please. The Titans won’t play finals this season, but they’re probably ahead of the Broncos at this point in time.
Albo
Roar Rookie
But I reckon the coach can coach ! He just needs some cattle. It has to come through from the Titans juniors over coming years. Not via more cast offs from other clubs, IMHO.
Clarke V
Roar Rookie
This season is undoubtedly Ash’s last chance to prove himself. Cartwright has picked up how game but he just makes mistakes you expect from a u12 match. The Titans have a plethora of good young players but they haven’t kept a side consistent, therefore no room for cohesion. I do think there is a large chance, probably more likely than not, that the titans finish 15th or 16th. They’re definitely not a talented side compared to other teams, but there is a lot to work with there.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Sorry Clarke, I just can't agree. AJ Brimson has been touted for a while, but now in his 3rd season he has had just a couple of good games and a bunch of injuries. As for Ash Taylor, surely he is on his last chance this season ? He is not producing much outside of a couple of bombs to Don's wing. Like I said , which other NRL clubs do you think would be chasing these two signatures ? And as for Cartwright , I agree , he has been awful since going to the Titans, but I have noticed some improvement in recent matches and he is still the most likely Titan to create an opportunity for his team. That's why he is starting each week. It is just a further indictment on the average quality of this squad.
Clarke V
Roar Rookie
What about players such as Aj Brimson who’s an uprising talent. Whilst he isn’t playing he’s still a good player coming into his own. Another is Ash, while he’s been given heavy criticism and hasn’t performed up till late, he’s shown a lot of effort and some play like he had in his rookie season. Bryce Cartwright in my opinion is one of the worse players on the team, due to his lack of tackling ability and poor ball handling. I guess we’ll see this weekend, but I agree Dufty will be an issue for the titans.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Sorry Clarke, but I would have call the Titans a weak side. There is only one player that I think might be of interest to any other NRL clubs - Moeaki Fotuaika. Even Jai Arrow who is on his way to Souths has form that is way down on his best. The rest are fringe hand me downs from other clubs or "hopefuls" that they might do something one day ? In fact the only one looking like creating something for them at present , believe it or not , is Bryce Cartwright who is trying to recapture some past form. In saying all that, I am still tipping them to beat the Dragons if they can just control Dufty. That's how well I think the Dragons are travelling.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Dragons could have solved one of those issues by picking Saab. They also could have solved another with a new coach... as they did neither I'm concerned that Titans could actually get up here.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! If the Titans can stop Dufty how do the Dragons score ? Or If the Dragons foil Taylor's bombs to Don, how do the Titans score ? I have no idea, though I have a hunch the Titans might have the better coach who may come up with some sort of answer?
Clarke V
Roar Rookie
Injuries have absolutely destroyed the side, it's putting a lot of pressure on younger players to perform. They're past the strength of their depth, now having bench players who wouldn't make other sides in the reserves. Titans lack a proven winner, which creates a losing culture which sets the club back a couple of years too.
Paul
Roar Guru
All things are relative Clarke. The Titans best 17 is very good on paper, but they don't have that at present, what with injuries, etc. Right now, I don't think they've got a) a lot of depth and b) an out & out champion.
Clarke V
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure id call the Titans a weak side. There's more than enough talent on the side, the issue is cohesion. I agree that he's been able to coach a top side down to 14th, as they've simply just been playing down to their competition. once Graham is officially gone, I do think it could be a blessing in disguise.
Paul
Roar Guru
This is a contest between the worst coached squad in the comp and possibly the weakest squad in the comp. The factors that sway me towards the Titans is Mary can't coach this squad, the Red V played it's GF last week, Mary can't coach this squad, James Graham wants out and Mary has coached top quality players into 14th on the ladder and a 1-4 record.
Paul
Roar Guru
"In their neck of the woods they could finish Mary’s career." I bloody hope so!
Paul
Roar Guru
then another cloud descended when James Graham told everyone he wanted out.
Clarke V
Roar Rookie
I just don't see the Dragons coming out how they did last week, same goes for the Titans. the Titans never thought they could beat Souths, which lost them the match early. Holbrook will undoubtedly have a dig into them, with the addition of Thompson they finally might find the fire under their belly.
Arcturus
Roar Rookie
Tough one to pick, and given both sides position on the bottom of the table it should incite a decent contest. I'm leaning towards the Dragons on the basis that old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Yeah, it's not an easy pick, could go either way.
Clarke V
Roar Rookie
He might be the voice at fullback the Titans have been missing, the talent pool is for sure there. A lack of cohesion is costing them games.