Titans v Sea Eagles Preview
NRL.com
Skilled Park
Friday 7.45pm
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=51798
OH dear.
Could it be a case of history repeating itself – the Titans flying high at the top of the competition before injuries to key players sees them tumble out of finals contention?
That was pretty much the scenario at this point of the 2007 season and now, with just one win in their past five games, John Cartwright’s men are staring at the same script.
Their front row stocks have been ravaged – strike weapon Luke Bailey, who missed the first section of the comp with injury, is now gone for the season with a serious ankle separation.
And that news followed Aaron Cannings being ruled out for six weeks with a leg injury.
That leaves Michael Hodgson and Michael Henderson to hold the fort.
But the Titans do get back their Origin reps Scott Prince, Anthony Laffranchi and Ashley Harrison (fitness permitting).
Last week they battled hard against the Dragons but were over-run late to sustain their first loss at Skilled Park for 2008.
Before that they fell narrowly to the Rabbitohs away.
Meanwhile the Sea Eagles continue to build ominously towards the finals.
They’ve won eight of their past nine games – including the past four – to sit atop the premiership ladder courtesy of a 72-points better differential than the second-placed Roosters.
They got the job done against the Knights at BlueTongue last week; before that they were six-point winners over the Warriors away.
The Sea Eagles have gone through the Origin period without just one star, fullback Brett Stewart, who will back-up here if fit.
Watch out Titans: The Gold Coast average almost 100 metres less territory a game than the Sea Eagles (1302 metres to 1399) and they enter this encounter without one of their most prolific metre-eaters.
Luke Bailey was ploughing ahead for 116 metres a game; he was one of only three Titans to regularly bust the 100-metre barrier, along with Mark Minichiello (129) and Anthony Laffranchi (109).
That places enormous pressure on the forwards to lift their game and generate good go-forward. Without it, even a player of Scott Prince’s class comes back to the field.
Watch out Sea Eagles: Dual-codes international Mat Rogers is really warming into good form.
He was impressive against the Dragons last week, running six times for 81 metres, with three tackle breaks, a try and a try assist. Importantly, in Prince’s absence, he showed a good kicking game with eight kicks for 336 metres.
Don’t be surprised if the ball shifts to Rogers on occasion to spare Prince some “heat” from the Sea Eagles’ kick-smotherers. Field position will be crucial for the Titans and this will help them.
Where it will be won: On the fringes. Manly will try to bust the Titans out wide, utilising bullocking runs from Steve Matai – last week he carved up the Knights with 12 runs for 102 metres with five tackle breaks and two line breaks.
Back-rower Anthony Watmough will look to make a dent here too – he made six telling tackle breaks last week.
The Sea Eagles will target the Titans’ left-side defence – the Sydney side has scored 26 tries with their right-side attack compared to 19 on their left, while the Coast boys have let in 22 tries down that corridor compared to just 11 on the other flank.
The History: Played 1; Sea Eagles 1, Titans 0. Manly scored a comfortable 20-6 win in their only encounter in round 6 last year, although that clash was at “Fortress Brookvale”.
Conclusion: Running out at Skilled Park for the second week in a row will help the Titans, as the game should pull in excess of 26,000 vocal fans.
That presents a danger to the Sea Eagles – they’ve conceded the second-most penalties of any side this year (103).
The Titans lift a gear at home, and will be strengthened by the return of their Origin trio. But you just get the sense this is a particularly professional Manly outfit.
They haven’t been flash, but they know that winning “ugly” is just as important as playing razzle-dazzle footy. We suspect there’ll be plenty of points in this game.
Match officials: Referee – Jared Maxwell; Sideline Officials – Chris James & Paul Holland; Video ref – Tim Mander.
Televised: Channel 9 – Live 7.30pm; Fox Sports 2 – Delayed 10.30pm.
* Statistics: NRL Stats.
