Titans v Wests Tigers Preview
NRL.com
Skilled Park
Sunday 3pm
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=52708
AN old fashioned dead rubber here, with neither side capable of making the finals and neither side in danger of finishing last.
But, considering the two sides are equal on competition points, this match will decide which of the two finishes higher on the ladder when the book closes on season 2008.
The Wests Tigers are holding onto 12th spot in the NRL ladder with a game to play, beating out the 13th-placed Titans on differential.
The loser here is guaranteed the unlucky 13 spot, whereas the winner could potentially get as high as 10th.
It might not sound like much
but it is still something after both sides pressed for finals football as recently as a fortnight ago.
The match will also be the last in the NRL for Tigers skipper Brett Hodgson before he heads over to the UK.
The Titans welcome back prop and co-captain Luke Bailey for their final fling, with Will Matthews reverting to the bench. Josh Graham is also out of the centres with Gavin Cooper moving out wide from the back row.
Daniel Conn comes into the second row and Luke Swain comes onto the bench.
Nathan Friends season is over due to the judiciary which means Clint Amos will start the final game at hooker.
For the Wests Tigers, prop Keith Galloways comeback from an ankle injury was short-lived; he is replaced by Todd Payten. Hooker Stuart Flanagan is out, with Dene Halatau moving from lock to dummy-half, Liam Fulton coming in at lock and Ben Teo joining the bench.
Ryan OHara is also out, replaced by Rocky Trimarchi and Daine Laurie has lost his starting spot to Bronson Harrison.
Watch out Titans: Wests Tigers prop Todd Payten might have a few angry pills in his system after missing the past few weeks to suspension.
In that time the Tigers went from finals hopefuls to also-rans and the big unit would no doubt feel a sense of responsibility.
The skilful prop has surprisingly failed to provide a try assist, line-break assist, line break or try this season which means this contest is his final chance to break the duck.
Watch out Wests Tigers: Bench prop James Stosic knows he needs a mammoth performance to keep his NRL career afloat as the Titans still struggle to fit him into their salary cap.
With the chances of staying still not certain, Stosic knows only good football is likely to see him attract some interest.
As an impact forward Stosic can add value to a side and is heavily endorsed by team-mate Luke Bailey, who even thinks international football for New Zealand isnt beyond the former Shark.
Where it will be won: It might just be in the stands. Professional footballers always play to win but when the extrinsic rewards (trophies, finals berths etc) are missing or are not as extensive and its the intrinsic rewards (pride, contentment, sense of achievement etc) that are left to drive you, that extra boost you need can come knowing you have a stadium full of people depending on you to do them proud.
Just how will the Gold Coast public react knowing their side cant make the finals?
Will they come out in force and fill the stands in thanks for another hard-fought season or will they give up the ghost and leave their boys without the gust of adrenalin it might take to finish on a high?
Time will tell.
The History: Played 3; Titans 2, Wests Tigers 1.
This is the first clash between the sides at Skilled Park, although the Titans did win the match on the holiday strip (Carrara) last year.
The Tigers prevailed 20-18 in round 11 at Leichhardt Oval earlier this season.
Conclusion: With a 7-4 home record on their books already the lean is towards the home side here particularly given the lack of intensity shown by the Wests Tigers last week against Cronulla when they had it all to play for.
It should be a great shoot-out between the likes of Scott Prince and Benji Marshall as attack takes control; the pair were team-mates in 2005 and love nothing more than bragging rights over the other.
If your tipping comp is coming down to the wire this is a game to get right as it could go either way. Safety tip is Titans; last-chance-to-catch-up tip is Wests Tigers.
Match officials: Referee Bernard Sutton; Sideline Officials Rod Lawrence & Matt Cecchin; Video ref Chris Ward.
Televised: Channel Nine Delayed 4.00pm; Fox Sports 2 Delayed 9.30pm.
* Statistics: NRL Stats.
Bernard Sutton
