SUNDAY, MAY 12TH, 2024 CBUS SUPER STADIUM, GOLD COAST
Titans vs. Cowboys: A Clash of Titans and Cowboys
This is another game where the form guide won’t be of much help.
Titans’ Resurgence and Cowboys’ Struggles
The Titans are on an upward trajectory, despite narrowly losing to the Storm last week. Meanwhile, the Cowboys, in a frustrating turn, lost a game they could have won against the Dolphins at home. Now, with the Titans hosting their inconsistent Queensland rivals, could they pull off an upset?
Both the Titans and Cowboys suffered narrow defeats last week, leaving them eager for redemption as they prepare to face off in the final Round 10 matchup.
After surprising everyone with a victory against the Warriors on ANZAC Day, the Gold Coast team demonstrated their strengths once more in a close 22-20 loss to the Storm. However, they faltered in executing crucial plays when the game was on the line.
Under the leadership of AJ Brimson, the Titans showcased their formidable backline once again, amassing over 700 meters in total.
Line-ups
Titans
1. AJ Brimson 2. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Chris Randall 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Isaac Liu , 14. Keano Kini 15. Erin Clark 16. Klese Haas 17. Josiah Pahulu, 18. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 19. Keenan Palasia 20. Joe Stimson 21. Jacob Alick-wiencke 22. Aaron Schoupp
In Townsville, the Cowboys experienced a disappointing outcome as they dramatically collapsed after initially leading 10-0 within nine minutes, resulting in their fifth loss of the season.
Their performance was marred by thirteen errors throughout the match, adding to their struggles. Under Todd Payten’s leadership, the team has conceded at least 20 points in all but one of their nine games this season.
Despite their recent victory over the Titans with a score of 25-22 in Round 5, the Cowboys face a challenge when playing away. Historically, the Gold Coast has won three out of their last four encounters at Cbus Super Stadium against the Cowboys.
Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Semi Valemei 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter , 14. Heilum Luki 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Jason Taumalolo, 18. Jake Granville 19. Jake Clifford 20. Harrison Edwards 21. Braidon Burns 22. Jaxon Purdue
Referee. Wyatt Raymond. Touch Judges. Jarrod Cole, David Munro Bunker. Peter Gough
Key Stats and Milestones
The Titans’ recent matches have been tightly contested, with their last four games being decided by a margin of four points or less.
In head-to-head matchups, the Cowboys have emerged victorious in four of their last five encounters against the Titans.
AJ Brimson, the Titans’ fullback, has an impressive track record against the Cowboys, having scored eight tries in 11 games against them.
Jeremiah Nanai, the Cowboys’ second-rower, has been in fine form, scoring four tries in his last four games.
Despite their overall performance, the Titans have struggled at Cbus Super Stadium recently, managing to secure only one win in their last seven games at the venue.
Prediction
Tanah Boyd sustained a wrist injury early in last week’s match against the Storm, ruling him out for the upcoming game. As a result, Chris Randall, a versatile hooker, steps in to fill the void at five-eighth, while Sam Verrills takes up the starting role at dummy-half. Des Hasler has decided to inject a new, smaller player, Keano Kini, onto the bench for this week’s game, leading to Joe Stimson’s exclusion from the 17. There’s a rumor circulating that Des Hasler is contemplating moving Kini to fullback and shifting Brimson into the halves.
Chad Townsend makes his return at halfback, taking over from Jake Clifford, who was sidelined with a knee injury last week. This remains the only change to the lineup from the team that faced the Dolphins in Round 9. Heilum Luki is once again listed to come off the bench following his 29-minute appearance last week after returning from injury. Unfortunately, Murray Taulagi remains sidelined due to a hamstring injury.
The Cowboys will start as favourites, but I like what the Titans are doing at home, and with a 8.5 points start @ $1.50, I will take them.
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