When the Gold Coast Titans signed forwards David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui a lot of people had the Titans in the top eight and even being premiership contenders in 2021.
This was especially the case considering the side already had other good players on the books, like AJ Brimson, who played origin for Queensland last year; Jamal Fogarty, who had a good 2020; boom centre Brian Kelly; and Tyrone Peachey.
The Titans have also picked up other players during the preseason, including Sam McIntyre, Erin Clark, Herman Ese’ese, Patrick Herbert, and they picked up former Cowboys centre Esan Marsters in the last fortnight, so they haven’t been passive with signing players.
The Titans came out in 2021 with a 19-6 loss against the New Zealand Warriors, beat the Broncos 28-16 in Round 2 and then dominated the Cowboys 44-8 the following week, but after the Newcastle Knights game in Round 5 and after the Gold Coast thrashed them 42-6 they haven’t been the same.
In Round 6 they lost 36-0 to the Manly Sea Eagles, choked a lead against the South Sydney Rabbitohs the following week and lost to the Broncos 36-28. They beat the Wests Tigers 36-28, but this latest round they took on the Penrith Panthers and got flogged 48-12 after Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary scored a hat-trick and had two try assists.
I know the Titans didn’t have David Fifita, but they still had Brimson, Fogarty, Kelly and Peachey and still got flogged. Their defence during this game was very poor. The Titans had 40 missed tackles compared to the Panthers’ 17 – and I don’t want to hear anyone say the Panthers had more possession or didn’t have to make many tackles.
The Titans made 314 tackles and Penrith made 297, so there can be no argument there, and the possession percentage was only 45-55 to the 10-0 Panthers side, so you could mount a case, but the Panthers still had to make close to the same number of tackles the Titans had to make.
The Titans have been the most up-and-down side during the 2021 season, especially with the players they have and signed during the preseason and during the season. They either win big or lose in a concerning fashion.
Gold Coast take on the Bulldogs next week and the Doggies are currently last, but you know they will play with their hearts on their sleeves. They lost by only two points against the Canberra Raiders during this latest round despite choking a lead against the green machine.
The next two Titans games will be against the Bulldogs and the Sharks, who they will most likely beat comprehensively, but then after the Sharks game they will take on the Melbourne Storm, and I’m calling it right now that they will get embarrassed and their up-and-down form will continue.
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Most of their side are locals including Fifita. He went to keebra park high. They literally brought locals. Tino is Gympie and a couple of others are from elsewhere and have quality local talent coming through. Problem is, theyre not ready yet
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Your argument lacks any real substance and intellectual sophistication.
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
They believed their own hype. Forgot they needed to put in the hard work and earn a finals spot. Their defence is embarrassing really.
Joey
Guest
To be honest, the Titans franchise has failed, just as the Seagulls and Chargers before them. Still the NRL persists with them, including the famous $30m bailout. I mean, how long do they get to make it to a GF or better? Forever? I’m all for p..$&#ing this team off, and give another team a go. .... Oh really? The next team in line to join the NRL is also from the Gold Coast? Bloody terrific. Back at square one.
AnonLurker
Roar Rookie
Titans problems are they have a subpar spine , also you can’t just buy a side . You need quality playing consistently together , look at Newcastle
Nat
Roar Guru
Hi Anton. This is more a reflection than a "why". I'm sure coach would pay good money for that insight. I see a fair bit of the Broncos frailties in their play where there is skill but no polish. Fifita scoring tries at will has masked a few deficiencies in execution but he's as vunerable as the rest with regard to defence. The loss to Souths and Broncos showed they don't have the metal defence. They could be reading their own press but they have the talent to at least challenge top 8. Still, a long way to go and it's only small areas of attitude to fix.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
So far the Titans are beating teams lower on the ladder. I have them making the 8 this year but will struggle to get further I think. Appears they have some potency in attack, but not known defenders?
Dayer
Roar Rookie
qld teams are completely useless and i support them