The Gold Coast Titans have absolutely run through the St George Illawarra Dragons thanks to an incredible performance from the Titans’ froward pack and a Dragons side that made 13 errors and missed nearly double the amount of tackles than the Gold Coast.
The first thing I want to point out is the benches from both the Dragons and the Titans. Not one Dragons bench player ran for over 100 metres and the Dragons’ bench combined for 143 metres while the Titans’ bench players combined for 319 metres.
The Titans debuted a very talented halfback called Toby Sexton, who was very impressive against the Dragons and will definitely have a bright future. The young half scored on his debut thanks to an error from the Dragons but he also ran for 160 metres, made 19 tackles and kicked for 259 metres.
The Titans’ forward pack dominated the Dragons and gave the Titans’ halves and backs a lot of time to produce their magic and set up tries.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
The starting forwards all ran for over 100 metres except for Kevin Proctor but Titans prop Jarrod Wallace had his best game this year after he scored two tries, had a try assist and ran for 101 metres.
Alexander Brimson was very electrifying at fullback after running for 213 metres. He broke nine tackles, had one line break and one line break assist.
Corey Thompson – who is a very underrated player in the NRL – ran for 166 metres, broke eight tackles and had one linebreak.
Dummy-half Mitch Rein and lock forward Tino Fa’asuamaleaui were both really strong on defence after the two middle players combined for 66 tackles for only two misses.
Fill-in Dragons centre Cody Ramsey had a tough day out against the Titans because he had to mark up against David Fifita, Patrick Herbert and Greg Marzhew.
Ramsey was really caught out defensively after leaking multiple tries and missing four tackles. He went off the field with an injury after setting up a try for Jordan Pereira.
Matt Dufty at fullback for the Dragons had an up-and-down game but despite running for 185 metres, breaking through four tackles and having one line break and two line break assists, the Bulldogs-bound fullback did have three missed tackles and two errors.
There’s one thing I find positive about the Dragons and that’s Jack Bird’s attitude and his aggression that he shows. Bird was always up in the face of the Titans’ players and came up with an incredible try saver on David Fifita but he was also caught out on defence.
The Dragons take on the Rabbitohs, Raiders, Panthers, Roosters, Cowboys and the Rabbitohs again to finish off their NRL regular season and the only team I can see them beating is the Cowboys. But their attack and defence need to improve but if it doesn’t then I don’t see them making the finals in season 2021.
Rossi
Roar Rookie
They seem more likely against decent teams, it's the (other) rubbish teams that have caused them most trouble
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Agree Rossi. He is great at running at players under 85kg - goes missing when teams put a big body marking him. He then starts trying rubber kicks. Reminds me so much of Dave Taylor.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
When Fifita is on he's very damaging and probably worth the money. But he's too inconsistent. Will get better as he matures.
Tony
Roar Guru
Helpless Dragons? I take exception to that. I would have described them as hopeless Dragons.
John Shaw
Roar Rookie
I agree on the size point. But I think they might give Souths a game this week, especially with Cam Murray missing and Reynolds and Walker less than 100% fit.
Rossi
Roar Rookie
Fifita has proven a flat track bully so far; has fun trampling little backlines and soft forwards, but needs to show some real aggression against good teams. Can't just step and fend against Melbourne and Penrith etc., he doesn't have a Ramsay or whoever the dogs have to trample every week. He'll learn. Just saw Cam Murray is out suspended for 1-2 weeks, Souths defence is non existent without him. Maybe a 60-30 loss for Dragons this week instead of 60-10
Rossi
Roar Rookie
Dragons desperately need some size. Lomax and Rava will help, as will shifting Bird back to centre. Molo, Su'a and Gurgess can't come quick enough. It would have helped if they did the Maloney and BBQ'd alone however, instead of at the Stallions place. Souths will run up a cricket score this week
Andy J
Roar Rookie
Titans big problem is no defensive steel. Every time o I watch them you can tell within 5 minutes if they are on or not. They have no line speed when they lose. If you see them moving up early in the game they are usually a chance of a good performance. If not it’s a going to be a long day.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Good comment. The Titans have the stock to be a very good team but lack consistency needed to hurt teams. Beating Saints was two points but anyone could beat them at the moment. Fifita played well when he was on the field but he needs to do as you say and back it up next week.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I will be impressed with this effort from the Titans if they do it again next week.
Nat
Roar Guru
It was a tough day for Ramsey and fo the Saints. These types of games from guys playing out of position is to be expected thanks to the BBQ kings. Ramsey shouldn't feel too bad though, Fifita has run over much bigger than him to score his tries.
Anton
Roar Pro
Well if they do end up winning another game this season then I'm sure we can have a party at Vau... I mean... Only joking :)
andrew
Roar Rookie
After today's performance they won't beat anyone. It was abysmal.