Jamayne Isaako’s golden-point try against St George Illawarra has been hailed as a potential turning point in Gold Coast’s NRL season by Titans coach Justin Holbrook.
The Titans snapped a five-game losing run with the thrilling 20-16 Magic Round triumph on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium, Isaako sliding into the corner in the last minute of the second period of golden point to snatch the victory.
After an agonising wait to have Isaako’s try confirmed by the bunker, the Titans’ players celebrated like they’d won the grand final after it was given the green light.
“Well right now, everything,” Holbrook said when asked what the win could mean for his team.
“We all know we were coming off five losses and I thought the game in tough conditions was really good.
“To get the try at the end in golden point was brilliant and exactly what we needed.”
Gold Coast would have been disappointed to have only held a 10-4 lead at halftime after dominating the first 20 minutes of the match.
AJ Brimson scored the opener for the Titans but despite a period where they forced five straight line dropouts and Dragons’ enforcer Josh McGuire was sent to the sin bin, the Dragons levelled when Mathew Feagai scored while the Red V were still down a player.
Beau Fermor’s smart putdown from a Toby Sexton grubber had the Titans back ahead but their lead evaporated in the second half when Jack De Belin crashed over for his second try in as many weeks.
Zac Lomax then put the Dragons ahead with a penalty goal from the sideline after Phillip Sami was placed on report for a shoulder charge on Mikaele Ravalawa as the Dragons’ winger dived for the tryline.
Lomax was made to rue a costly missed conversion however after Moses Suli extended the Dragons’ lead in the 69th minute with Jarrod Wallace charging over four minutes later to send the game into golden point.
Both teams missed field goal attempts to win the match but when Dragons’ five-eighth Talatau Amone knocked on near the Dragons’ tryline attempting to gather a kick, it gave the Titans the field position to shift the ball wide for Isaako’s match-winner.
“It’s a hard one to swallow … there’s no question about our endeavour. We’ve just got to get better,” Dragons coach Anthony Griffin said.
“Once we got to six in front, we didn’t close the game out … they hurt but they’re part of growing as a team and making sure we learn from that.”
Gold Coast host Cronulla next weekend while the Dragons are back at home against the Warriors.
andrew
Roar Rookie
I think they were. I thought it was a mistake dropping Sloan before the Cronulla game. As I said earlier I'd leave them both in the side, give them time.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Got to learn how to pass the ball too
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
But do you think they were playing better before Hook started dropping them??
UAP
Guest
Our 16s coach would always reinforce the importance of taking the ball on the full. One player had to take ownership and yell out 'mine' .. letting the ball bounce was the ultimate sin. Sloan didn't take ownership and let a number of balls bounce yesterday. He seemed not to be in a good head space ie. a confident young man enjoying his football. I suspect Griffin has his hand in this .. mucking him around by relegating him to the outer paddock hasn't helped. I am starting to think another coach is needed to bring out the best in these young St George players .. I hope I am wrong.
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
St George's worst enemy isn't the refs, it's themselves
Andy J
Roar Rookie
Wow John two comments and two whinges about the ref. Grow up champ!
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
It’s true that just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you. But in this instance it seems unlikely the NRL or referees would be conspiring against a club struggling to make the 8 anyway.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
To this outsider who had seen very little of them, I like both.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Hey DPS, Saints had no plan when they were attacking the Titans line. Hunt was running everywhere trying to set a play up. I'd persevere with Sloan and Amone, after all they'll be in Saints top side long after Griffin's gone. See if they're in the team next week.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Right back to the get-a-new coach drawing board. I'd like your opinion, but I think Sloan was much better before Hook mucked with his head and started dropping him for a pensioner offcut. Same with Amone. Other young guys in other teams learn from their mistakes but don't lose confidence because they aren't getting dropped so quickly.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Sloan better work on catching the high balls, he let a few bounce last night. A great night at Suncorp. Geez Penrith are a super fit and classy side, they'll go back to back if they remain injury free. Saints, it's back to the drawing board.
John Shaw
Roar Rookie
I noticed in the first half that every time the Titans put in a kick there were a number of chasers who were clearly offside. The refereeing once again was poor and tilted against the Dragons.
John Shaw
Roar Rookie
It is glaringly inconsistent that McGuire went to the bin but Sami did not. Sami should have gone to the bin also and who knows the difference that would have made. In fact, without the illegal play Ravalawa probably scores, so why no penalty try? Because it’s the Dragons is probably the correct answer.