The Titans have set the cat among the Finals pigeons with a 22-13 boilover victory that kept their hopes alive, mathematically at least, while bringing the Cowboys back to the pack of top eight contenders.
The Cowboys were on a six game streak, while the Gold Coast hadn’t won in four, but an early second half blitz was enough to give interim coach Jim Lenihan a second victory in charge.
Now, the ladder has North Queensland level with Souths and Canberra on 11 wins, ahead of Parramatta and Cronulla on ten and ahead of Manly and Newcastle on nine, plus a draw. Four from those seven will make it.
The Titans would have to win out from here – highly unlikely given their famous inconsistency – but they were by far the better side today.
Alofiana Khan-Pereira had another day out on the wing, scoring his 18th try of the year, the most in a single season by a Titans player in their history.
“It is a really great achievement,” said interim coach Jim Lenihan. “I’m sure it is something he will look back on and be very proud of.
“I think the try-scoring part for him is the easy part. He has got better defensively and in all the little efforts off the ball.”
Their wide attack was excellent, making a strong Cowboys defence look pedestrian.
“That game was there to be won,” said coach Todd Payten. “I thought a couple of our Origin boys probably looked a little flat and this is the time of year it kind of happens. In saying that, we were outplayed and that’s what disappoints me.”
They were assisted by a sin bin for Val Holmes, who having gone almost 200 games without a sin bin, was sat down for the second time in two rounds.
This week’s shot was a lot worse than the one that levelled Mitchell Moses, with the centre catching Jayden Campbell direct in the face with a heavy hit. It would be surprising if he was not suspended.
“I disagreed with his send-off last week but it is hard to disagree with tonight’s call,” said Payten.
“The kid was falling, Val has come in and made a tackle and it is what it is. It was really costly. We’ve had to do it like 10 occasions this year. That becomes draining on our energy.
Reece Robson, too, is a doubt for the rest of the year after leaving early with what appeared to be a broken jaw.
On the commentary, Andrew Voss described the Titans as “frustratingly good”, and it was easy to see why. They aren’t awful, but they also utterly, completely are.
Among all teams in the NRL, they have the biggest gap between their best and worst, often within the same game, making them dangerous for anyone with something to play for, but also liable to fall over and make your afternoon incredibly easy.
This is a side that has won defeated the Broncos and the Storm, as well as Parramatta and now the Cowboys, but also lost to the Dolphins, Bulldogs and the Dragons. Last week, they were 30-0 down to the Roosters, who have no attack.
We got a clear reminder of what the Titans do within the first ten minutes.
They scored a great try, shredding the Cowboys’ edge defence from deep. Then they drop the ball after points and concede.
They send the kick off out on the full and concede again. If ever there was an encapsulation of why they lose so much, that was it.
Yet, this time, they refused to go away. When they’re hot they can put on points fast and did that straight after half time with two tries in five minutes that turned the game around.
There’s so much speed in the backline that even the Cowboys, who are among the very best defensively, couldn’t cope.
On the other side of the footy, they did just about enough. The Gold Coast have made a habit of scoring plenty and losing anyway, but showed an unexpected amount of resilience to keep North Queensland at bay.
Kieran Foran showed all his experience to manage the game out at the Cowboys’ end of the field while AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell also showed composure to force repeat sets at the end.
North Queensland’s mid-season revival has been based almost entirely on their defence, which has been able to shut down almost all comers in the last six weeks.
Today, though, it was the old problems in attack that came to the fore. They were far too conservative with ball in hand and failed to generate any pressure, accumulating a full ten fewer sets in possession than the Titans.
The Gold Coast are among the least resilient defensive units around, but weren’t asked enough questions over a long enough period to see them crack.
Just one line break – and none after half time – told its own story. This year, the Cowboys have benefited from exceptional moments from Tom Dearden and Scott Drinkwater, but both were shut down completely today.
Only in the latter stages did they put enough air under the football to challenge a notoriously shaky Titans edge defence.
This is what failed the Cowboys at the pointy end last year. In the Preliminary Final, the spine wasn’t quite at the level of Parramatta, who always had the better ability to score points.
This was like watching a repeat. When Dearden and Drinkwater don’t fire, the lack of other options stands out.
Chad Townsend, while a good organiser and kicker, is just a level below in creativity, with few ball-playing options in the forward pack with Jeremiah Nanai injured and Robson departing this game early.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Well young Laybutt played earlier this year and I would give him first go at centre.. He really had a crack when he played. He is young and still needs to bulk up a fair bit but I like the kid. We have also recruited a young outside back from NZ ( sorry his name escapes me ) for next year who has already played NRL for the Warriors . These two will be given their chance next year. As for half back ? Well we have Chad for one more year so he stays but we are mad if we extend that. I know the Club has a high opinion of young Duffy but he is a way off. So Chad plays next year but we must give the young guy a few games because if Chad is the answer it's a stupid question.
Landz84
Roar Rookie
Hey Jimmy....I totally agree on the Chad kicking game. Its definitely a problem. He doesn't have the accuracy and has even worse distance on long kicking. But jeez who else do we have. I heard rumours that Clifford is returning to us from the UK:S God I hope that isnt true!! I gotta disagree with your dislike for drinkwater though. I admit I wasnt convinced with him when he first arrived. But he looks fit. And his link up work going down the right, receiving from Dearden (whos sweeping around from the the opposite side) is great. And he can deliver some great try assist passes. MMMM his defense isnt amazing, but not many fullbacks are. Ive heard good things from a current squad member about how vocal he is in organsing the defense from the back. So we need to stick with him. I agree Hiku is an issue. He's too just too slow and lacks any danger in attack. So a new half back and centre is needed!! Whos available???????
3 R M
Roar Rookie
It is what I thought Souvalis we needed to take advantage of it and set a bit deeper to cut the pass or extend it. They did well at it with the shooters and we might need an reciever option to combat it. On the bright side it wasn't a knock out final. We need to adapt quickly though.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Foran was a real burr in the Cowboy butt yesterday.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Chalk and cheese between where Penrith were in Round 25 2021 and where they are now No way they’d jeopardise a shot at the three-peat and a spot in history as an all-time great team for a minor premiership that most people won’t remember. No way Anyway, they might have the MP wrapped up by then anyway or Cleary might not be interested in resting anyone
Redcap
Roar Guru
"but [if] it costs them a minor premiership, I don’t think he’ll hesitate" But it could cost them so much more - you know of what I speak. :happy: :boxing: There is a path for the championship belt (of glory) to be held by Penrith heading into their R26 clash with Parra. If they were to lose, that would be the end of the belt's journey in 2023, Parramatta would be unofficial champions, whatever Penrith achieved from then on would be hollow succour, there'd be rioting on the streets, and Ivan Cleary might well find himself on the end of a pike. [Shudders]
Horses for Courses
Roar Rookie
You're talking about professional sportsmen here who even the most humble of which would have an ego big enough to fill a stadium. I can't imagine a situation where there is a trophy up for grabs and them not doing everything they can to take it. It's that desire that makes them so great and I'd expect nothing less from the Broncos as well. Besides in 2021 when it was between the Storm and Penrith for MP they played at full strength.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don’t think they care in the slightest about the minor premiership. It’ll be a ‘nice to have’ but nothing more. This year has been all about the three-peat They've already won two MPs in the past three years Their preseason and early season has been different to the past three successful years they’ve had. They started much slower and have built their season as opposed to exploding straight out of the blocks They might want to make sure they get a top 2 spot to lock up two home semi finals, but they’re four competition points and 150 f/a ahead of third spot, so they’ll have to drop three games not to finish top two. At this stage three losses for them is close to inconceivable, but if they somehow do, they’ll have bigger worries than the MP or top two All other things being equal, if Cleary thinks resting players is the best move - and he’s done that the last couple of seasons - but it costs them a minor premiership, I don’t think he’ll hesitate
Albo
Roar Rookie
I thought he took control of the game in that 2nd half, to keep the forward pressure on the Cows ( with help from Randall) and to get the Titans home !
Albo
Roar Rookie
Even tougher now if also missing Robson, Val & Nanai for a few of those matches !
Horses for Courses
Roar Rookie
They'll only rest players if they have the minor premiership locked up.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Val’s irreplaceable. Cows now lose any chance of improving on last year and squeezing into a GF. And it’s totally on him and the coach because Annesley stressed the dangers and the penalties and how clubs had been warned of the perils of getting them wrong just last week. Terrible.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Clark was great - especially as the game wore on. He seemed to be getting more energy, not less…
The Barry
Roar Guru
Broncos, Sharks, Dolphins and Panthers in the last four… Panthers away in Rnd 27, but they’re likely to be resting players Means the Cows need to win somewhere between 7-9 games on the bounce to win the comp, which is a huge ask They just looked really flat yesterday - which I guess was coming after being up for so long
Albo
Roar Rookie
And another thing. How can the Titans not find a starting spot somewhere on the park for young Jayden Campbell ? You could play him anywhere , though fullback looks his best spot. I'd have him there before Brimson. They are playing 3 x hookers but leaving out their best backline player ?
langparker
Roar Rookie
Watching that game as a bronco supporter, I have no doubt some of the cowboys players had their minds on next week’s showdown & expected things to just happen after the Hess try. That right side defensive frailty also cost them, I said a month ago that Hiku’s lack of pace in attack & defence was their achilles heel but not sure if that young kid who played a few games is ready yet. With Holmes probably out and the potential loss of dummy half Robson, they are important cogs to be missing.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I thought a couple of old hookers got the Titans home yesterday in a shock result . I thought Erin Clark and Chris Randall were awesome in that 2nd half to completely control the game , and the Cows had no answer to their play. This result may haunt the Cows come September, after I thought they were going to be specials for the finals ?
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
We have three genuine attacking threats in our pack . Luki, Nanai and Looch. Two did not play and the Titans did really well containing Leulua. That left all the attacking to Drinkwater and Tommy. Drinkwater was continually forced back inside and to the Titans credit they spaced well so he found no space on the inside. Tommy still managed to get over for what would have been a crucial try but dropped it. Where the Titans really killed us was in their kicking game . Boyd's kicks were high and contestable. Chad's were low and caught easily on the full. Foran got 5 forced drop outs. Chad kicked three times into Forans legs,. They were heaps better and next week isn't any easier for us with a five day turn around.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Seems like the Titans used Billys maroon defensive counter of the Blues in having outside backs rush out of the line on Dearden and Drinkwater and force a cut off. Cows astonishingly didn’t react to it. Generally, I’ve never seen the Titans defend so gutsy and professionally over 80 mins as they did yesterday. Coach should be very proud. To make it easier though the Cows lacked any real line breaking threat in the forwards. Forgive them that, they can turn a poor one around, as they showed after being flogged by the spooners the other week.
McTavish
Roar Rookie
"Among all teams in the NRL, they have the biggest gap between their best and worst. " I would have thought the Cowboys own that title this year.