Gold Coast Titans
16
Match Complete
St. George Illawarra Dragons
16
| J. Isaako |  | 75 | ||
| J. Wallace |  | 73 | ||
| 69 | | M. Suli | ||
| 65 |  | Z. Lomax | ||
| 56 | | Z. Lomax | ||
| 54 | | J. D. Belin | ||
| J. Isaako | | 29 | ||
| B. Fermor | | 28 | ||
| 21 | | M. Feagai | ||
| A. Brimson | | 6 |
| 3 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Gold Coast Titans are up against the St George Illawarra Dragons in Magic Round. Join The Roar for live scores from 5:30pm AEST.
Young Titans fullback Jayden Campbell returns from a rib problem, meaning AJ Brimson goes back to the five-eighth role and Will Smith has been omitted. Veteran forward Kevin Proctor has been dropped to the reserves due to a recent string of sub-par performances.
Halves Toby Sexton and AJ Brimson, and fullback Jayden Campbell are players of the future but they could have used Jamal Fogarty in their squad this year to guide them along. By the time Kieran Foran arrives next year, those three will be much further along in learning the tools of the trade at NRL level and Foran should only be needed as a bench utility. So if the Titans have forked out the $750,000 they have reportedly given the veteran Sea Eagle for a two-year deal, it could be creating another problem down the track.
The Dragons perhaps surprisingly go into the game unchanged despite a heavy loss to the Storm.
They’ll need to get their defence in order to win this one. They missed more tackles per game (36.2) than any other team and they are second-worst for line breaks conceded at 5.7 (although, strangely, Parramatta are worse with 6.2). St George Illawarra skipper Ben Hunt is playing strongly in attack but he’s missed more tackles (44) than anyone else in 2022.
Game information
Kick-off: 5:30pm (AEST)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
TV/Stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Titans $1.95, Dragons $1.85 – odds via PlayUp
Gold Coast
1. Jayden Campbell 2. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Esan Marsters 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. AJ Brimson 7. Toby Sexton 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Erin Clark 10. Jarrod Wallace 11. Isaac Liu 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Interchange: 14. Tanah Boyd 15. Sam Lisone 16. Herman Ese’ese 17. Sam McIntyre 18. Greg Marzhew 19. Corey Thompson 20. Paul Turner 21. Jaimin Jolliffe 22. Aaron Booth 23. Sosefo Fifita 24. Kevin Proctor
St George
1. Moses Mbye 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Jack de Belin 11. Jack Bird 12. Josh Mcguire 13. Tariq Sims
Interchange: 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Aaron Woods 17. Tyrell Fuimaono 18. George Burgess 19. Cody Ramsey 20. Jack Gosiewski 21. Tyrell Sloan 22. Josh Kerr 23. Jackson Ford 24. Tautau Moga
souvalis
Roar Rookie
I feel for you UAP and I don't want to slap them around too much, but they had to do better in the big moments, minimally, don't give up the football.
UAP
Guest
Hook is wrong Souvalis. He dropped Sloan after one poor performance against Cronulla in the rain. Let him languish and lose confidence and then bring him back on another wet track. Great player management there coach. As far as Amone goes I thought he played well .. anyone could have knocked that last ball on. Had a wicked spin and bounce on it.
John Shaw
Roar Rookie
I wonder why McGuire went to the bin but Sami did not? Clearly that was not consistent.
John Shaw
Roar Rookie
I want to focus on positives. First, I think Hook is doing a good job. Sua, Suli and Molo have been great additions this year. On top of that, Feagai has been excellent on the wing. He will only get better and better and has a long NRL future ahead of him. I look forward to seeing what his brother can do in the top grade at some stage going forward. Amone, Sloan and Sullivan are obviously one season shy of being ready for week to week NRL. Nevertheless, the Dragons still have every chance of making the top 8.
Dean
Roar Rookie
It's very frustrating. The Dragons outside backs are potential match winners and there is good balance with Suli's power game and Lomax's guile and ability to release Ravalawa. Similar story for Titans too - they have their share of match winners. I don't agree with the discussions about a lack of player talent for team expansions. The lack of talent is in the coaching ranks. The Bulldogs and Sharks are a case in point - very similar player talent, both started the season without a recognised halfback but with some talented new signings. One is now a Top 4 contender and the other is contending for something else.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Can't argue with any of that. The structure around him and his lack of attention are most likely related. The Dragons don't do any of the things the good teams do - play straight and sweep wide off the back of it, have multiple players in motion around the ball. Suli's been pretty effective because he's such a powerful runner, Lomax needs his halves to create more space for him. It's not happening.
Dean
Roar Rookie
I think it's a lack of structure and mentoring. The lads got an ego which he is being allowed to indulge and he's probably extremely frustrated with the team's attacking structure...or lack thereof. Hook hasn't been able to develop a game plan that utilises the outside backs. Suli is a good example: he's worked hard all year but is not benefiting from any form of meaningful inside service.
Redcap
Roar Guru
He's gone backwards. Lack of attention to detail was you suggest.
JGK
Roar Guru
Good teams don’t lose that game from the Drogons position. In fact, bad teams don’t lose that game.
Dean
Roar Rookie
Lucky the club extended his contract. Having said that, the team is performing exactly as expected. He recruited fringe first graders and the team are achieving fringe first grade performances.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Amone, Sloane..Hook was right.
Dean
Roar Rookie
Lomax has been very disappointing this year. He's a fringe rep player who should be a leader in this backline but he has allowed errors and silliness (see the Frizell incident) to define his 2022 season.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Commiserations Dragons fans. That must hurt. Ben Hunt's dropped ball late in extra time and his missed tackle on Jayden Campbell aside, Hunt couldn't have done more to get the Dragons over the line despite the Dragons doing their best to derail the Dragons chances. Congrats Titans fans. One more team 2 points clear of Barrett's Dogs. The sooner Baz gets the bullet the sooner the Dogs fortunes turn around.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Hook you are not up to nrl coaching standard. Please leave the RedV because the sooner you do the quicker we'll be a force again. So disappointed. That game was there to be won. :angry:
Tony
Roar Guru
Matt Daylight?
danwain
Roar Rookie
That was infuriating
Rellum
Roar Guru
Don't let us down Jimmy!
Brisguy51
Roar Rookie
Boy. Both teams tried to lose this game.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Saints don't know how to win. That was rubbish.
Dean
Roar Rookie
Grats to the Titans - they deserved to win more than the Dragons. I really enjoyed watching the Titans at the backend of last year, hopefully this win sparks some of last year's form.