Titans Squad for trial v Storm

[Willow]

Is Bailey playing and how is he going ?

No mate. The Gold Coast fielded a seconds team for this one. Bailey was enjoying the match like everyone else in the crowd.

 

[lotti]

Lotti, you're a fair weather troll who doesn't even know which to support. Whatever you don't start barracking for the Dragons.

On the more notable contribution, and despite the chicken little concerns about the sky falling in, apparently it was great atmosphere in Coffs tonight. Great occasion for everyone and they even got the Mexican Wave happening. Sounds like a few doomsayers need to revisit their saccharrin sweet concerns for the good people of Coffs Harbour.

Don't worry I won't be I have 2 teams Melbourne and Manly, god I'm gonna hate next week. You must admit a little gloating is in order from the Storm fans.

 

[Lowdown]

Lotti, you're a fair weather troll who doesn't even know which team to support. Whatever you do, don't start barracking for the Dragons.

On the more notable contribution, and despite the chicken little concerns about the sky falling in, apparently it was great atmosphere in Coffs tonight. Great occasion for everyone and they even got the Mexican Wave happening. Sounds like a few doomsayers need to revisit their saccharrin sweet concerns for the good people of Coffs Harbour.

I'm sure it was a great night...they watched a class team full of stars run around a paddock. Shame it was one team only...

I'm sure if you surveyed most supporters leaving the ground if they had a choice of a Titans' team; one which resembled a more full-strength offering or the one which showed up, I bet I know what the overwhelming result would have been. Its hardly rocket science...

I think you'll find that is where most of these 'doomsayers' are coming from and not that there wouldnt be a good crowd in attendance (though I note ticket sales were made available well before the Titans Squad was announced).

Perhaps if the Titans fielded a quality side, the crowd would not have been that restless to even consider a mexican wave...sounds like a cricket match.

 

[Willow]

I'm sure if you surveyed most supporters leaving the ground if they had a choice of a Titans' team; one which resembled a more full-strength offering or the one which showed up, I bet I know what the overwhelming result would have been. Its hardly rocket science...

You could say that about any game.

When the Storm next field a half strength team for a trial, will you be as keen to run the same survey?

I think you'll find that is where most of these 'doomsayers' are coming from and not that there wouldnt be a good crowd in attendance (though I note ticket sales were made available well before the Titans Squad was announced).

As far as I can tell, its just you and the odd couple who are upset about it. Mind you, I have no doubt you'd still outnumber the Storm supporters who made the trek to watch their team play.

Perhaps if the Titans fielded a quality side, the crowd would not have been that restless to even consider a mexican wave...sounds like a cricket match.

lol. So now they were restless. You weren't there. By all reports it was big crowd, great atmosphere, the organisers are happy, the fans had a good time. Be as miserable as you like... but you've obviously been proven wrong on this point.

 

[Lowdown]

When the Storm next field a half strength team for a trial, will you be as keen to run the same survey?

I'd be happy if the Titans had played a half strength team...the problem was they fielded a no-strength team for a game which both sides and coffs habour promoted the buggery out of.

I noted your bitchy comment about our fan numbers; which you seem to have an unhealthy obsession with. Just noted...won't respond to it, as its simply a dumb attack on our supporters...again.

 

[Willow]

I'd be happy if the Titans had played a half strength team...the problem was they fielded a no-strength team for a game which both sides and coffs habour promoted the buggery out of.

It was a successful night. Get over it.

I noted your bitchy comment about our fan numbers; which you seem to have an unhealthy obsession with.

Nope, just out pointing the hypocrite in you. You whinge incessantly about the Titans not fielding a full strngth team and how terrible this is for the game, and yet you can't back it with your own away crowd figures. I'm willing to suggest that the new Gold Coast fans were there in good numbers while the so-called more established Storm supporter base considered it to be too much trouble. Heck, even your CEO didnt show up.

Just noted...won't respond to it, as its simply a dumb attack on our supporters...again.

Too late, you did respond. Truth hurts eh?

I'd loved to see a truly successful Melbourne team in the NRL. I just wish their fans would get off the arses and show their support, instead of shooting the messenger like you seem to be doing.

Trust me, one day when things get tight in Holt Street, and they start shedding the dead wood, only those teams with a strong supporter base will survive. No one misses teams who have bugger all support, especially if they're in debt. Don't say it won't happen because the unthinkable has happened before with teams getting the flick during times of administrative conflict. It might take another 10 years. And imo, that's about how long you've got to get together an awesome supporter base.

 

[lotti]

the poor, poor Titans their first NRL sanctioned match and they lost.

 

[Eelectrica]

the poor, poor Titans their first NRL sanctioned match and they lost.

So What? It's a trial game, the important thing is that their are no serious injuries - hopefully that's the case.

Coach John Cartwright probably wanted to give some fringe/backup players a taste of what it's like to go against regular first graders. See how they handle it, and let them know what it's all about.

 

[Lowdown]

Heck, even your CEO didnt show up

It's only a trial, Willow. Why would he?

I just wish their fans would get off the arses and show their support, instead of shooting the messenger like you seem to be doing.

[all apologies Willow - will treat you with cotton gloves from now on]

And imo, that's about how long you've got to get together an awesome supporter base.

Wow...that's deep. Meaningless, but deep.

 

[DeeGan]

My day was a long one though as soon as the Titans run on to the field, it was well worth it. My team had arrived and it was a feeling that will only be matched by the feeling I get when we are Suncorp Stadium chasing our first ever two points.

How was the game?

The boys did themselves proud and more than matched it with the more fancied Storm first grade side - we trailed only 12-6 at half time and I was over the moon. It could have been uglier given before the game, seeing the Storm talent on hand, I feared the worst. The final scoreline gives the impression the game was lopsided - this was not the case.

I hear Craig Bellamy is rethinking his trial strategy for the next game and will likely play some of his more estblished stars again this week given they didn't perform as he would have liked as opposed to some of the lesser names he trialled. Whilst it was only a trial, Bellamy must have wanted more from the likes of Slater, Cronk, Inglis and co. given what I have read today.

I won't nominate any one or two players for the Titans - I think all who took the field really made the most of this opportunity. The boys showed we have some depth on hand in the event we suffer crippling injuries this season - I think there is a handful of guys there from Saturday night that could excel in first grade if given the opportunity.

A night to remember most certainly - those who missed out missed the chance to be part of history as Titans fans. Let's hope we see more Titans fans over the coming two trials and at Suncorp ;-)

The people of Coffs Harbour came out in force on Saturday night and embraced the Titans. There was a lot Titans gear being worn on the night and the crowd behaviour was great. I don't recall any major incidents barring the occasional guy or girl having too much to drink being escorted out of the ground late in the evening.

The full Titans squad was on hand at the game so they spent A LOT of time signing autographs, posting for pictures etc. behind the player sheds before and after the game. This was also backed up by a "FAN DAY" on Sunday afternoon from 1.00pm to 3.00pm.

The club was criticised by some here for not "embracing the Coffs people" I recall reading - a laughable statement at the time and even more so considering the club is staying on at Coffs until Friday morning.

Gold Coast Titans schedule this week looks like this:

Monday 19th

· 8.00am Team training at Camp Wallaby, Pacific Bay resort (session open to media)

· 12.00pm Jetstar Gold Coast Titans lunch with Aboriginal elders from the Gambanee Tribe (open to media)

· 1.30pm – 3.30pm Team weights (closed session)

Tuesday 20th

· 8.00am field session Camp Wallaby, Pacific Bay resort Coffs Harbour (Open to media)

· 3.30pm – 5.00pm Jetstar Gold Coast Titans / ARL clinic will be conducted from 3.30pm-5 pm BCU Stadium plus signing session, invitations sent to the regions schools. (open to media and the public) .

Wednesday 21st

· 8.00am field session at Camp Wallaby Pacific Bay Resort (open to media)

· 1.30pm-3.30pm weights session (closed to media)

Thursday 22nd

· DAY OFF, all players off limits to media..

· 6.30pm- 7.45pm Team shopping centre appearance at the park Beach Plaza Shopping Centre Coffs Harbour on Thursday evening

· 10.00am Communications Manager Jason Sintome and Jetstar Gold Coast Titans players Nathan Friend and Daniel Conn travel north to Lismore.

· 2.00pm Lismore High school visit Nathan Friend, Daniel Conn Jason Sintome & Jetstar Titans Junior development team. (open to media)

· 6.00pm – 7.00pm Lismore Shopping square appearance (open to media)

Friday 23rd

· 10 AM Jetstar Gold Coast Titans depart for Lismore for trial game against Parramatta.

· 3.30pm – 4.30pm Come and try RL clinic @ Oakes oval Lismore (open to media and public)

· 4.00pm Open training session Oakes Oval Lismore (Open to media)

· 5.00 – 5.45pm meet the players, autograph session Oakes Oval Lismore. (open to public and media)

The small but vocal Melbourne Storm supporters who made the effort to attend the game were great! 12-6 at halftime and even the most parochial Stormer conceeded the Titans showing was better than expected given the opposition. The "Stormers" (albeit small in numbers) who attended did their club proud and it was great to meet some of their passionate fans who made the trek.

 

[Willow]

Walabies train up here and invite schools to training and have dinners with the public etc.

I earlier mentioned how the Titans were meeting with fans and juniors in the district.

Further to this, today's press release shows that the the Titans players are still in Coffs and doing the community rounds.

At midday today, the Titans meet with Aboriginal elders from the Gambanee. Tomorrow (Tuesday) from 3:30pm, they are conducting a ARL clinic at BCU Stadium. Invitations have been sent to the region's schools.

This is addition to open training sessions.

Again, I can't speak for the Storm. I'm sure they pitched in as well, although their website schedule shows that they're back in Melbourne.