09 :: R20 Fri :: Titans 34 Broncos 18 @ Skilled

[Timmah]

1. William Zillman
2. Kevin Gordon 3. Esi Tonga 4. Brett Delaney 5. David Mead
6. Preston Campbell 7. Scott Prince (c)
8. Luke Bailey (c) 9. Nathan Friend 10. Michael Henderson
11. Anthony Laffranchi 12. Mark Minichiello
13. Ashley Harrison

Interchange: 14. Matt White 15. Aaron Cannings 16. Brad Meyers 17. Kayne Lawton
Reserves: 18. Ian Lacey

1. Karmichael Hunt
2. Antonio Winterstein 3. Steve Michaels 4. Justin Hodges 5. Alex Glenn
6. Aaron Gorrell 7. Peter Wallace
8. David Taylor 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Joel Clinton
11. Guy Williams 12. Ben Te'o
13. Corey Parker

Interchange: 14. Lagi Setu 15. Josh McGuire 16. Ashton Sims 17. Josh Hoffman

Referees
Jared Maxwell & Bernard Sutton
Touch Judges: Adam Devcich, Jeff Younis
Video Referee: Tim Mander


Toyota Cup Round 20
Gold Coast v Brisbane
Skilled Park, Friday 5:20pm

QLD Cup Round 18
Ipswich (GCO) v Sunshine Coast (MAN)
Briggs Rd, Saturday 3:00pm

Tweed Heads (GCO) v Burleigh
Cudgen Oval, Sunday 3:00pm

Norths (BRI) v Mackay (NQL)
Bishop Park, Sunday 2:00pm

 

[kia ora storm]

Titans by 18...Broncos are gone.

 

[JW]

Assuming he plays, which he probably will, all the Boobs need to do is run down Michaels' side exclusively and they'll be unlucky not to notch up a try a set.

 

[Truthy746]

Titans to win this easily, definitely can't see Broncos breaking their losing streak on the GC of all places, especially considering Titans haven't been beaten at home.

 

[jpaciocco91]

Tits by plenty.

 

[Twigg]

Broncos raped by about 50

 

[Timmah]

Despite incorrect reports of a sell-out, there are still tickets available for Friday night’s eagerly anticipated local derby between the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos at Skilled Park.
As of 4pm today, more than 9000 tickets remain available for the clash between the third-placed Jetstar Titans and ninth-placed Broncos.
The match provides the Jetstar Titans with a chance to exact revenge for their 32-18 loss to the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in May.
The Jetstar Titans have won two of the five matches played against the Broncos since the Gold Coast-Brisbane rivalry was re-born in 2007.


http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=18231

 

[Big Pete]

Gold Coast set to call up young gun Kayne Lawton as Nathan Friend suffers injury

By Tony Barrett
July 20, 2009 Gold Coast rookie Kayne Lawton is set for a baptism of fire in the Titans' local derby against Brisbane on Friday night.
Lawton, 20, is likely to be thrown into his top-grade debut with influential Titans hooker Nathan Friend struggling to be fit for the clash at what is sure to be a packed Skilled Park.

Titans coach John Cartwright confirmed the under-20s rake was a likely replacement with Friend badly injuring his ankle in last week's 23-16 loss to Bulldogs.

“He's a big chance, he's been playing big minutes in the under-20s and he's doing real well,'' Cartwright said after putting his charges through a gruelling training session.

“He's a local kid, he's probably a half or five-eighth turned into a hooker over the last couple of years.

“These kids get big write-ups but it's going to be a big challenge for him. But he's got all the attributes.

“He works very hard on his game and he's tough enough.''

Cartwright has had good success plucking young players from the Toyota Cup in the past two years and expects the trend to continue.

“That's what they're there for, they train with us and prepare like a first grade team,'' he said.

“He's playing 80 minutes every week, he's doing a good job and he probably deserves a chance.''

Cartwright revealed Lawton's expected inclusion after laughing off rumours the Titans were about to announce the signing of sacked Wallabies star Lote Tuqiri.

In an intriguing move, the club scrapped a planned player announcement on Monday morning just before it was due to start.

Cartwright admitted he was considering another player to add depth to the Titans in case of injuries, but the deal fell through.

“I was just being a bit over-cautious if anything - there may have been an opportunity there, but it didn't work out,'' he said.

But Cartwright said while former Broncos flyer Tuqiri, recently sacked by the Australian Rugby Union, would be a great addition to any team he wasn't the player in question.

Co-captain Luke Bailey was wary of meeting the out-of-form Broncos, who are desperate to bounce back from their 44-12 thumping against Souths on Friday night.

“They're hot and cold and like us they're coming off a loss so it's going to a dangerous game for us,'' he said.

“We need to climb back on and get some confidence back up and improve our defence.

“They're desperate to stake their claim for a top eight position so they're going to be fired up and they could produce a great game on any given day.

“We just have to worry about our own backyard and tidying up our defensive lapses that caused the loss on Friday night.''

Source: http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25807821-5018866,00.html

 

[lockyno1]

We will still lose if Steve Michaels plays!

 

[Big Pete]

Yes because one player really determines the fate of the Broncos.

Please, if our forward pack actually played like a pack we'd be performing much better than we are.

 

[Timmah]

I was ready to back the breasts all the way home but with Friend out, I have my doubts... Brisbane are in with a shot now IMO.

 

[Coaster]

It wont be an easy game, no matter what.

Forget form, forget whos in or whos out, i expect another cracker from both sides.

 

[Timmah]

refs n teams are in

 

[Timmah]

Lacey a chance to battle Broncos
By Laine Clark AAP :: Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:38:40

The shock withdrawal of Mat Rogers forced another Gold Coast Titans team reshuffle as Ian Lacey was placed on a collision course with the club that left his NRL career in tatters almost two years ago.

After Rogers was a no-show at training on Tuesday, Titans coach John Cartwright dropped the bombshell that the dual international had succumbed to a groin injury and would not run out against the Broncos at Skilled Park on Friday night.

It was another blow for Cartwright, who was already sweating on the availability of inspirational hooker Nathan Friend (ankle).

Lacey and 20-year-old rookie Kayne Lawton have been placed on standby for Friend who will be given until Thursday to prove his fitness.

Cartwright said it would be tempting to let Lacey make his Titans debut against the Broncos.

It would mark the first NRL game for Lacey after he and teammate John Te Reo sensationally had their contracts torn up by the Broncos in October, 2007 following the assault of a man outside an inner-city Brisbane hotel.

"It always helps playing against your old club - he will definitely be very enthusiastic," Cartwright said.

"But we will give Friendy until the last minute - if anyone can play with that injury it is him but we have Ian and Kayne there."

Showing true utility value, regular fullback Preston Campbell will slot in at pivot after initially being on stand-by for hooker Friend.

In some welcome good news, Cartwright welcomed back Queensland Origin backrower Ashley Harrison (ankle) and prop Aaron Cannings (hamstring).

Meanwhile, the battling Broncos will again be without captain Darren Lockyer (knee) and Origin forward Sam Thaiday (rib) while Tonie Carroll (knee) also joins the injury list that also boasts star winger Israel Folau (ankle).

Broncos coach Ivan Henjak hoped Lockyer would return next week but was unsure of the availability of Thaiday and Carroll, who is feeling the effects of accidentally kneeing referee Tony De Las Heras last round.

But Henjak kept the door open for a surprise return from a knee injury by bruising forward Nick Kenny.

"He only started running the other day and he'll have another run tomorrow and we'll see how he is," Henjak said.

http://www.nrl.com/newsviews/latest...lacey-a-chance-to-battle-broncos/default.aspx

Henjak looks to turn Broncos around
By Wayne Heming AAP :: Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:36:48

The heat is on rookie Brisbane coach Ivan Henjak after the Broncos' worst-ever run of results during the State of Origin period left the club in danger of missing the NRL finals for the first time since 1991.

The Broncos' 1-5 match return during the 2009 Origin series is the poorest the club has endured since its inception in 1988.

It tops the 1-3 record under Wayne Bennett in 1996 and also marks the first time the Broncos have lost more than three games during the interstate series.

While Bennett often had the last laugh at critics, such as in 2006 when the side lost three games during the Origin but bounced back to win the premiership - the Broncos 2009 season seems less assured.

After a dream 5-1 start to his coaching career, Henjak has endured those numbers in reverse, the side's defence the major issue having leaked an alarming 231 points in six weeks.

When Brisbane won the premiership in 1998 they conceded just 52 points more (283 points) for the entire 24-match season.

While it's not unusual for Brisbane to do it tough in the Origin period - their overall match record during the series is 57 wins, 48 losses and two draws, it's virtually unheard of for them to concede so many points in such a short period of time.

Despite the losses stacking up, Henjak appeared composed on Tuesday and confident the side could work through the form slump.

"I needed to remind myself what this club has been through over the last 10 years," he told AAP.

"I went through each year individually and there's been some long spells when we've been out of favour.

"We've gone 1-9 and 3-8 and even 3-11 during long runs of losses.

"Out of the last six games we're 1-5 so, it's not good, but we've been here before.

"I know it can turn around because I've seen it turn around in those years as well."

A successful player with Canberra, Henjak served a decade as Bennett's apprentice in Brisbane.

He replaced one of the game's most successful premiership winning coaches after Bennett opted out of the final year of his contract to coach the Dragons.

Bennett, who had coached at Origin level, took five years to win his first premiership and he started with a playing roster which included Wally Lewis, Gene Miles, Allan Langer, Greg Dowling, Steve Renouf and Kerrod Walters.

Henjak doesn't have a roster quite as illustrious.

A number of Bennett's 2008 recruits have yet to deliver while 2009 signings Ben Teo and Langi Setu have not lived up to early expectations in their debut seasons.

Despite criticism in some circles, Henjak said on Tuesday he hadn't been tapped on the shoulder.

"I'd rather they (the Broncos board) don't come out publicly and support me but," offered Henjak, showing he hadn't lost his sense of humour given coaches often get sacked once they receive such backing.

But with skipper Darren Lockyer (knee), forward Sam Thaiday (ribs), Israel Folau (ankle), prop Nick Kenny (hamstring) and veteran Tonie Carroll (knee) on the sidelines this weekend for the match against third placed Gold Coast, things may not get easier any time soon.

"We're going to find out a lot about our character this weekend," said Henjak

http://www.nrl.com/newsviews/latest...jak-looks-to-turn-broncos-around/default.aspx

 

[amaline]

Friend set for good Friday
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2009/07/22/100225_gold-coast-titans.html

Luke Turgeon
July 22nd, 2009
GUTSY Titans hooker Nathan Friend is eyeing a miracle return from an ankle injury to front up against the Brisbane Broncos at Skilled Park on Friday night.
And Friend was yesterday named to take on Brisbane and will test out his damaged right ankle at training tomorrow after continuing to make steady progress in his recovery.
Friend's season must have flashed before his eyes in the seventh minute of Friday's 23-16 loss to the Bulldogs, as he struggled to get to his feet after his right leg twisted awkwardly while making a tackle.
Despite severe swelling and strained ligaments, 28-year-old Friend battled through the pain barrier to play the full 80 minutes and finish with 47 tackles.
"If anyone can play with that injury it will be him," said Titans coach John Cartwright yesterday.
"But we will wait until we train on Thursday and we will make a decision then.
"We will train Kayne Lawton and Ian Lacey there and once we know about Friend we will make a decision."
Friend was absent from training yesterday, which included vigorous tackling drills in a sand pit under the guidance of assistant coach Trevor Gillmeister.
But if he can defy the odds and take his place against the Broncos, it will be the first time since Round 11 that the Gold Coast pack has been at full strength.
Queensland backrower Ashley Harrison also returns against the Broncos after straining ankle ligaments in Origin 3 last Wednesday, while interchange prop Aaron Cannings makes his comeback from a torn hamstring.
"He (Harrison) was close to playing last week but he wasn't quite 100 per cent," said Cartwright.
"He will be this week and that goes for the squad, we want to take these guys on with as many guys as close to full fitness as we can.
"(Aaron Cannings) is another one who probably could have played last week but being a hamstring we decided to give him another week and he will also be 100 per cent."
But in a blow to the Titans, five-eighth Mat Rogers was yesterday ruled out with a groin strain after scoring two tries against the Bulldogs.
Preston Campbell will move to five-eighth to partner Scott Prince in the halves, while William Zillman will start in the No.1 jumper.
Brisbane will again be without captain Darren Lockyer (knee) and representative forward Sam Thaiday (ribs), who missed last Friday's 44-12 capitulation against Souths.
"They would have been pretty disappointed with their performance on the weekend so I think they are going to be desperate," said former Bronco Harrison.
"Every time we play the Broncos we expect a hard and physical encounter and we expect no different.
"They have always limped through the Origin period and then they bounce back with a vengeance.
"On what they did last week I am sure they want to come out and give a huge improvement."

 

[renouf]

what bullsh*t.. I knew Friend would end up playing.. hope he re-injures his ankle 5mins into the game

 

[typicalfan]

Friend out then it is Titans by 6.

Friend in and its Titans by 26.

 

[Big Pete]

Karmichael Hunt and Peter Wallace are in some doubt.

Karmichael corked his thigh at training today while a hamstring strain kept Wallace from training.

Kenny is rumoured to be coming back into the side.

 

[StinkyPete]

Titans comfortably

 

[Big Pete]

Peter Wallace OUT

Source: http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/nrl/story/0,26746,25823381-5003409,00.html

Ben Hunt comes into the side.