Gold Coast Titans
8
Match Complete
Parramatta Eels
26
| D. Fifita |  | 66 | ||
| B. Kelly | | 61 | ||
| 51 |  | C. Gutherson | ||
| 49 | | R. Matterson | ||
| 27 | | H. Dunster | ||
| 26 | | C. Gutherson | ||
| 24 | | R. Mahoney | ||
| 22 | | S. Lane | ||
| 10 | | C. Gutherson | ||
| 9 | | D. Brown |
| 2 | Tries | 5 | ||
| 0 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 18 of the NRL season kicks off with a double-header at Cbus Super Stadium, with the Gold Coast Titans playing host to the Parramatta Eels. Tune into events on the Gold Coast here on The Roar with live scores from 6pm (AEST).
With State of Origin Game 3 also played in the city, the Gold Coast has never had this much rugby league action going on. The Titans will be hoping it can galvanise the population to get behind them as they strive for a drought-breaking finals berth.
The Titans sit tenth, but up until their 44-6 thumping of the Raiders before last week’s bye, appeared to be falling apart. Four consecutive losses, two of them comfortably, saw them fall behind the Sharks, Dragons and Knights in contending for those last few spots in the eight. But their attack remains powerful enough to challenge even the best sides in the competition, as they proved with a fighting loss to the Storm last month.
The Titans have the luxury of going in unchanged for this match, with AJ Brimson’s recent return from injury consigning young gun Jayden Campbell to the reserves. The suspension that saw David Fifita miss Origin 3 leaves him cherry-ripe for this vital match.
The Eels’ finals hopes are in no jeopardy, but the Rabbitohs’ recent hot streak has seen them fall to fourth on the ladder. They’ve had two weeks to ruminate on their one-point loss to the Panthers, with Mitchell Moses missing the game-winning penalty after the siren to cost them a vital two points.
Hooker Reed Mahoney returns from a shoulder injury, while Junior Paulo and Mitchell Moses have been named to back up from Origin 3 on Wednesday.
Game information
Kick-off: 6pm (AEST)
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
TV: Fox League
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel GO
Betting: Titans $2.48, Eels $1.54 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
Gold Coast Titans
1. AJ Brimson, 2. Phillip Sami, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. Patrick Herbert, 5. Corey Thompson, 6. Ashley Taylor, 7. Jamal Fogarty (c), 8. Jarrod Wallace, 9. Erin Clark, 10. Moeaki Fotuaika, 11. Kevin Proctor (c), 12. David Fifita, 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Bench/Reserves: 14. Tyrone Peachey, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Jaimin Jolliffe, 17. Beau Fermor | 18. Sam McIntyre, 19. Sam Stone, 20. Herman Ese’ese, 21. Jayden Campbell, 22. Mitch Rein
Parramatta Eels
1. Clint Gutherson (c), 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Tom Opacic, 4. Waqa Blake, 5. Haze Dunster, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Isaiah Papali’i, 12. Ryan Matterson, 13. Nathan Brown
Bench/Reserves: 14. Marata Niukore, 15. Shaun Lane, 16. Oregon Kaufusi, 17. Bryce Cartwright | 18. Will Penisini, 19. Will Smith, 20. Joey Lussick, 21. Jake Arthur, 22. Keegan Hipgrave
mushi
Roar Guru
If he could be consistent you'd assume it wasn't Ash Taylor
mushi
Roar Guru
Isn't the new rules. There was a lot banked on the last stretch on 2020 being the "real titans" and then looking for even more improvement due to experience.
Crow
Roar Pro
Where is the grit. Yes on paper I give them half a chance but unfortunately the game is not played on paper. The Eels are a good side and are building but this scalp was taken too easy to see a reel fight.
Rob
Guest
Fitness and focus is not conducive to the Gold Coast lifestyle is my only plausible theory. It a beautifully place for a holiday.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Gee this is a disappointing side. Individually there is some genuine talent. Holbrook is maybe too nice a guy to instil the mongrel dog lacking in a lot of these hearts.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Well this game deteriorated after the halftime break and finished off with a dopey bunker call
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
I'd love to see the Raiders make a play for Taylor and Milford in the halves and move Wighton to lock or the second row. Big call as both Taylor and Milford can be flaky but both are looking for another club.
Tony
Roar Guru
Can't defend to save his life. Arm grabber
Nat
Roar Guru
That 10min just destroyed the Titans and a few dodgy calls didn't help. Parra took their foot off the gas.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
WTF - Cartright knocks the ball out of Herbert's hands - play on - Fifita scores - then its overturned - rubbish call Eels went to sleep in that second half - they won easy - but I can't see them threatening for the flag
Rob
Guest
Oh well it’s only the Titans. Fafita is a centre I don’t care how big he is. Like Mal he’s happy to make 12 tackles not 25 plus. He is an absolute weapon carrying the football.
Nat
Roar Guru
You're right and I shouldn't dismiss the mad attacking skills he has. If he could get to consistent he'll be a real asset.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
You might have a point Rob. I looked at the squad and thought they’d go better than last year. I didn’t think they’d be giant killers this year, but plenty of potential. It’s almost as if they’re jinxed. You’d reckon they’d adapt to the six again again. I love the stadium at Robina - seen a few Manly games there, and would like to see them do well. I’m at a loss.
Tony
Roar Guru
Andrew Voss and Steve Roach would be lucky to find their cars in their own driveways
Andy J
Roar Rookie
That’s a terrible decision by the bunker lackey it didn’t matter
JGK
Roar Guru
That’s BS.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I commented last year that Fifita reminded me of a young Dave Taylor. Big, skilful, fast - but immature and never could grow up and got paid overs on potential.
80
Tony
Roar Guru
The Broncos haven't got many recruitment decisions right in recent years, but letting Fifita go was a master stroke.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
He's only young though - 26 - over a 100 games - has some good skills - probably get him for $400K