MARCH 9TH, 2024 CBUS STADIUM, GOLD COAST
PREDICTION
Two sides deep in a rebuild in the early stages of the season.
This suggests a scrap with chances of individual brilliance sneaked in.
It will be a tightly fought contest throughout, but expect the Titans X factor to just sneak them home in the dying moments. I think the mad professor, Des Hasler will motivate the Titans and they have had a good record against the Dragons at CBUS in recent seasons, so expect it to continue.
Titans ,only just. Look for a points start, either team.
Des Hasler and Shane Flanagan’s Coaching Comebacks Clash in Super Saturday Showdown
Two returning coaches intent on rebuilding sinking ships
Des Hasler and Shane Flanagan return to coaching with their new clubs in the second match on Super Saturday as the Gold Coast Titans go head to head with the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Titans’ Defensive Transformation Under Des Hasler
For the Titans, this marks another new era for the club. After the swift and decisive decision to end Justin Holbrook’s tenure last season, the Titans are hellbent on fixing their image. They want to go from the team that can’t hold a lead to a team that can grind it out with the best in the game. In the attacking phase, there’s no denying their quality. AJ Brimson, Phil Sami, Alofiana Khan-Pereria and Keano Kini will all be sparking fear in the opposition, while an imposing pack of forwards such as Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Mo Fotuaika and Keenan Palasia, fresh off a grand final berth with Brisbane.
Defensive Struggles Plague Titans in Recent Seasons
But for the Titans, it will be defence that is the main watch here. Across the last 4 seasons, the Titans have conceded on average over 25 points a game. That is nowhere near acceptable at the NRL level, especially for a club that is trying to compete for premierships year on year. Under Des Hasler, there will be a renewed focus in that department, hopefully that doesn’t compromise the attack like it did at Canterbury.
David Fifita and Jayden Campbell will be missing for the first few weeks still recovering from injuries sustained in the off-season for the former and last season for the latter. So, Kini will get the first crack at the fullback jumper. Brimson will slot in at centre, he looked good in the pre-season but this is a new kettle of fish. Chris Randall starts at hooker with Sam Verrills reverting to the bench.
With the injury to Jayden Campbell, all eyes are on Keano Kini. The young phenom burst on the scene with an impressive season with Burleigh in QLD Cup, winning fullback of the year and man of the match on a losing side in the Grand Final. Kini’s elusive footwork and evasion is scintillating to watch, he also presents some silky passing which will present this talented backline with opportunities galore.
Dragons’ Off-Season Challenges and Renewed Resolve
For the Dragons, they have had a horrific off-season. Shane Flanagan has dealt with distraction after distraction this summer, but it appears that has strengthened the resolve within the squad.
Flano loves a scrap and he has drilled them this off-season. First up results look promising, yes trial footy doesn’t mean the world. But they look a fitter, more cohesive unit then perhaps many were expecting.
Fullback Conundrum and Frontline Stability
The big conundrum is the fullback spot. Tyrell Sloan has it for the moment, but one slip up appears to have him surrender the jersey to Zac Lomax. Elsewhere, the side appears to be stable and will be a gritty, determined side in 2024.
Up front appears to be solid, with Blake Lawrie and Francis Molo leading the way. Depth could be a problem, but the only way we will answer that is with time.
On the team front, Kyle Flanagan will get the first crack at partnering Ben Hunt in the halves. Lawrie and Jacob Liddle have overcome injuries to take their place.
Viliami Fifita makes his debut from the bench. for the Dragons, the focus is on Moses Suli. After a few seasons with many questions asked of his fitness and commitment. Suli has really brought into the changes Flanagan has made at the club. In the trials he looked slimmer and fitter than any point of his career since arriving in the Red V, his damaging ball-running against new look Titans edges will be a key highlight to watch in this one.
Line-Ups
Titans
1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Keenan Palasia
Bench. 14. Sam Verrills 15. Isaac Liu 16. Erin Clark 17. Jaimin Jolliffe
Reserves. 18. Joe Stimson 19. Jojo Fifita 20. Jacob Alick 21. Harley Smith-Shields 22. Josiah Pahulu
Dragons
1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Tom Eisenhuth 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin
Bench. 14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Michael Molo 16. Viliami Fifita 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Reserves. 18. Ben Murdoch-Masila 19. Christian Tuipulotu 20. Jesse Marschke 21. Ryan Couchman 22. Mathew Feagai
Referee. Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Touch Judges, Matt Noyen, Tyson Brough, Bunker. Ashley Klein
Comments