Sydney Roosters
12
40
Gold Coast Titans
6
| 39 |  | B. Fermor | ||
| A. Keighran |  | 33 | ||
| J. Tedesco | | 31 | ||
| M. Ikuvalu | | 22 | ||
| 13 |  | J. Fogarty | ||
| A. Keighran | | 10 |
| 2 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The first elimination final takes places this afternoon when the Sydney Roosters take on the Gold Coast Titans at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:40pm (AEST).
The Roosters and Titans get the chance to keep their season alive today, with the winner progressing through to next week’s semi finals. For the loser, it’s curtains for 2021.
You’ve got to hand it to the Roosters; they are decimated by injuries, but still find ways to win. They snuffed out Canberra’s chance of finals last weekend with a big 40-16 victory, though it wasn’t enough to secure them the double chance in the end.
With injuries biting, some of the Roosters’ younger brigade are making big strides. Drew Hutchinson is getting better each week at five-eighth, whilst Adam Keighran had a career-best game against the Raiders. With one of the world’s best at the back in James Tedesco, it would be crazy to write this team off.
There are some big additions for the Roosters for this do-or-die clash, with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Victor Radley both returning to the starting pack. Fletcher Baker is back from suspension and takes his place on the bench.
Gold Coast effectively began their finals campaign last weekend, blitzing the Warriors 44-0 in a game they needed to win comfortably to secure a spot in the last eight. Whilst the New Zealand team was appalling, the Titans were impressive in putting them to the sword.
With AJ Brimson out with injury, many thought the Titans would struggle in attack. However, Jayden Campbell has proved a revelation, and Tyrone Peachey is creating plenty of problems playing at five-eighth.
Players like Beau Fermor are in career-best form and their pack, with a number of Origin players, should not be underrated.
In a boost for the Titans, co-captain Kevin Proctor returns, with Sam McIntyre missing out on the squad.
Prediction
There is no doubt the Titans are right in this, but the edge in finals experience is firmly with the Roosters.
In big games, the best players tend to rise to the top. Tedesco will be primed for a big one, whilst Radley will play a lot of first receiver.
Like they have all year, the Roosters will find a way to win.
Sydney Roosters by 8
Game information
Kick-off: 5:40pm (AEST)
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
TV: Channel Nine, Fox League
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel GO
Betting: Roosters $1.25, Titans $4 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
Sydney Roosters
1. James Tedesco (c) 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Josh Morris 4. Adam Keighran 5. Matt Ikuvalu 6. Drew Hutchison 7. Lachlan Lam 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley
Bench/Reserves: 14. Sam Walker 15. Isaac Liu 16. Egan Butcher 17. Fletcher Baker | 18. Dale Copley 19. Ben Thomas 20. Ben Marschke 21. Naufahu Whyte
Gold Coast Titans
1. Jayden Campbell 2. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Corey Thompson 6. Tyrone Peachey 7. Jamal Fogarty (c) 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Moeaki Fotuaika 11. Kevin Proctor (c) 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Bench/Reserves: 14. Erin Clark 15. Sam Lisone 16. David Fifita 17. Jaimin Jolliffe | 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Toby Sexton 20. Greg Marzhew 21. Anthony Don
Jock
Guest
A very exciting contest! The Titans did their supporters proud in a game that could've gone either way.
Chooky
Guest
Boo hoo :crying:
Don Alfonso Lampard
Guest
Fifita no try? WTF - crazy decision.
Wayne Turner
Guest
To show how weak,and poor the officials are:- The Roosters $40,000 investment of bagging the refs paid off egs:- *Sam Walker field goal kicked with help of Roosters blockers. *Roosters off side during that whole length of the field Titans play. *JWH pulled back a Titans support player without the ball,during that length of the field run. Penalty to Titans should of been given.
White-line fever hebert
Birthday Suit
Roar Rookie
Watched the replay and it’s 100% a bad call, but it was 24-24 at that point and the Roosters looked more likely to score, how does that equate to ‘robbed’?
TJ
Guest
Was worried about the Titans and I was right to be worried. They were better than us tonight and deserved the win. You can complain all you want about the refs but the Titans can use that that as an excuse after the last play. Simple pass from Herbert and they win that. Next weeks game will be interesting. We were terrible tonight and Manly were terrible last night. Wonder who steps up next week?
matth
Roar Guru
Especially not in front of the play the ball
matth
Roar Guru
They aren’t. That was illegal, the ref and bunker just didn’t call it
matth
Roar Guru
Definitely offside as well. I just looked at the replay. The Titans were robbed.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Spot on DPS - changed my tip back from the Titans to the Roosters today for precisely that reason. They make some dumb decisions at the wrong time. You just can't trust them. They should have won though and they are certainly capable of playing finals footy for years to come.
Rob
Guest
He regularly does things like that. Holding markers, stepping in front of defenders, charging at markers after playing the ball. You could get him a lot but then Robbo would whinge he’s team is being picked on.
Rob
Guest
Fafita 2 on 1 that far out scores 99%. The only thing that could stop him would be a fumble or obstruction call. If i was Herbert I would have handed straight to Fafita as soon as I caught inside the 10m area.
Wayne Turner
Guest
Indeed Roosters off side,used blockers for that field goal,and JWH pulled back a key support player when Titans made the back at the end. That $40,000 investment of bagging the refs,has continued to pay off for the Roosters.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Can’t beat a top four team with a performance like that…
Stu
Guest
Titans would have won if they could draw and pass. Cant blame the ref there
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Good game.
Wayne Turner
Guest
Except there is no way you could give a penalty try,with defenders around.
Rob
Guest
How so they butchered the game. They have won 1 finals game in 6 their history of finals football. Cowboys or Broncos on the other hand know how to win a finals game when given the opportunity.
John Shaw
Roar Rookie
Absolutely. The Titans were robbed by appalling refereeing.