Gold Coast Titans
22
Match Complete
North Queensland Cowboys
13
| T. Boyd |  | 47 | ||
| A. Khan-Pereira |  | 45 | ||
| T. Boyd | | 42 | ||
| J. Campbell | | 40 | ||
| 39 |  | C. Townsend | ||
| P. Sami | | 22 | ||
| 15 | | V. Holmes | ||
| 14 | | C. Hess | ||
| 12 | | V. Holmes | ||
| 10 | | S. Valemei | ||
| T. Boyd | | 9 | ||
| A. Brimson | | 7 |
| 4 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 1 |
Round 22 of the NRL premiership concludes this evening with the Gold Coast Titans hosting the North Queensland Cowboys at Cbus Super Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores from 4pm (AEST).
It may still be mathematically possible but, in reality, the Titans’ hopes of semi final football evaporated last weekend. However, they can still put a spanner in the works of the charging Cowboys, who are now in the 8.
The Titans 36-18 loss to the Roosters last start flattered the home team. The tri-colours had been struggling themselves but rattled up a 36-0 lead before conceding some late tries.
At their best, the Titans have one of the strongest packs in the competition. However, with both Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and David Fifita seemingly on the market, Gold Coast will get a true test of character in the coming weeks.
With Tino remaining suspended, the Titans 17 is unchanged this week. Joe Stimson will start with Klese Haas moving to the bench.
Teams in the top 8 will be getting whiplash looking over their shoulders at the Cowboys. Their 24-16 win over the Eels was their sixth on the trot and propelled them up to eighth on the ladder.
After a slow start to the season, Chad Townsend and Tom Dearden have got their mojo back and this has got the Cowboys playing to their full potential. The recent return of Jason Taumalolo has proved an added benefit.
Jeremiah Nanai is out for at least a month with an AC joint injury, with Kulikefu Finefeuiaki starting and Sam McIntyre joining the bench. Griffin Neame is out due to concussion protocols and replaced on the interchange by Jamayne Taunoa-Brown.
Prediction
I fear for the Titans here.
The loss of Tino takes a lot of sting out of the Titans pack, and North Queensland should establish dominance up front.
If they can, given the Titans defensive problems, the Cowboys will run riot.
Cowboys by 24
Prediction
. Cowboys by 16
Game information
Venue: BlueBet Stadium
Kickoff: 7.35pm AEST
TV: Fox League
Stream: Kayo Sports
Odds: Panthers $1.12, Sharks $6.25 – odds via PlayUp
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Isaac Liu 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Erin Clark 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Chris Randall 16. Klese Haas 17. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 18. Aaron Schoupp 19. Jacob Alick 20. Ken Maumalo 21. Kruise Leeming 22. Thomas Mikaele
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Semi Valemei 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Jake Granville 15. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 16. Jason Taumalolo 17. Sam McIntyre 18. Zac Laybutt 19. Kyle Feldt 20. Riley Price 21. Brendan Elliot 22. Mitchell Dunn
Panthers
Roar Rookie
He could take his $10 million to England with him. If the Cowboys want to get rid of him? Do a few years there & then retire.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Cows probably thought this was an easy win, minds on next eeek
Stormy
Roar Rookie
I thought he did a great Mitchell Moses impersonation.
NQR
Roar Rookie
Only you can find it TB. It’s always there even when I comment on a South v Roosters or Tigers v Raiders game LOL.
NQR
Roar Rookie
No. Scored 1 point and conceded plenty when he came on? Nanai, Luki and Neame are far bigger outs IMO.
NQR
Roar Rookie
Well done Titans. Been unlucky to have lost in recent weeks. Too quick for my Cowboys. At least the Cowgirls had a win which is great for them and the supporters. I think a bit of arrogance and lack of attention to detail crept into the Cowboys today. That’s what effected them in the early rounds. Get past the Eels and believing the Titans won’t beat them? Drinkwater’s been excellent but his kick on the second after Titans were down 12-6 was rubbish showboating. It’s what I fear with Drinkwater just like running and losing the ball forward in his own half against the Eels in last years preliminary after leading comfortably. Rocks and Diamonds.
steveng
Roar Rookie
That was Gould, he's tipping the Cowboys to be in the GF and even a chance of winning it :laughing: its going to be close but the Panthers are the side to beat whichever way you look at this comp.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Good job by GC. Outplayed NQ all round. The old boy at No6 was superb running the team with the backline firing. For as good as they played it was a dismal effort from David Fifita, the old lazy Davey came back. As for NQ, probably the loss they had to have to bring them back into line. We know they are a better side than what we saw today and why they had an off day we can only guess but they looked too cock-sure of themselves early on and had their wings clipped. Well done GC.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks all for following the blog tonight. Enjoy your week all
David Holden
Roar Guru
The Cowboys retain their place in the 8 and we get a blockbuster next Saturday afternoon when they play the Broncos in Townsville. With Holmes and Robson both likely to be missing, the Cowboys will struggle to bounce back.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Congrats Titans. The better side. Lack of discipline cost us big time. That plus trying the short cut .
David Holden
Roar Guru
The win leaves the Titans 2 wins and points differential outside the 8, so it is really too little, too late. They take on the Warriors on Friday night
Nakinz 14
Roar Rookie
It’s great result for us warriors fan too ..where the guy who this predicted cowboys were making the top 4 lol
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Is Talmalolo still on a million per year?
David Holden
Roar Guru
The Titans have pulled off a major upset with a win against the Cowboys. They held off wave after wave of NQ attack and supporters must be wondering where that defence has been all season.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yeah I think the lines got a bit blurred for the ref too. Foran shouldn’t have been so chirpy once Brimson came back on. But I guess they kind of ran a dual captaincy thing after that
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Congratulations Titans! Not the result I expected, but you were the best team. You got your wish steveng, however unlikely it seemed. Another good call thankyou, David, much appreciated.
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
Damn, I wanted the Cowboys to put in this sort of performance next week, now they'll really be looking to bounce back...
steveng
Roar Rookie
This is big favor to the Bunnies, I tipped the Titans just had a feeling the Cows are pretenders :laughing:
David Holden
Roar Guru
FULL TIME TITANS DEFEAT COWBOYS 22-13