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Time to dump that last game, learn what we can from it and move onto the next. Onwards and upwards as we march forward into Round 14. This Round, we're back on the road as we take on the Titans up there on the Gold Coast this Saturday night in a huge clash in the context of our Season. Because of what's happened the last two weeks, this game is an absolute must win. If we want to finish top two, then this is a game we simply must be winning, or those hopes will start to slide. We've hit a slight flat spot in our Season, a mini slump, there's no doubt about that so this week, this game is all about ensuring that's all it is, just a flat spot and a mini slump. We simply cannot afford to drop this one.
It's a tough little road trip heading up to the Goldy for this one but I'm sure it's one the boys will be looking forward to. In years gone by, you'd look at a game against the Titans and think 'easy win,' however, I no longer believe that is the case. While at times they still remain a bit inconsistent and patchy, the Titans are a much, much better side this year than they have been in years gone by. Certainly, a much more dangerous side so we genuinely can't go into this one underestimating them. Genuinely, I believe that if they played to their potential, they are capable of beating anyone on their day and right now, they're in with a massive chance of a top eight spot so motivation will be high for them. They play a pretty exciting, free flowing brand of Footy build on speed, mobility and offloads. This is a style which has troubled us this year, so we'll need to be better against that. Significantly, over the past few Seasons, they've built a pretty good roster up there on the Gold Coast. There's genuine speed and excitement machines all over the park. A pretty potent backline with the likes of Campbell, Kelly, Sami and the new young fulla Khan-Pereira. They'll be hard to handle. Tanah Boyd is in good form, and he has the experienced Foran beside him running the side. They then have a pretty formidable forward pack lead by the likes of Fifita, Fotuaika and Fa'asuamaleaui. Obviously, we're not 100% sure if Tino and Fifita will back up from Origin and play, but we must prepare like they are. What's more, they'll be well rested and raring to go as they're coming off the bye. So, the Gold Coast can be seen as a formidable side on their day now in my eyes, I don't want to see us go into this week thinking it'll be an easy win.
For us, the stakes are pretty high this week. The boys have really dropped their standards the past two weeks and we simply cannot afford for that to be the case three weeks in a row. As I said earlier, this game is a must win. We're still in a decent position to finish top two, but these are the games you simply cannot drop if you want that to happen. I'm sure all the boys will know that, they'll be well aware, and JD will be driving that all week. I hope they're all also hurting because of the last two weeks and because of that, we have no excuse not to come out firing in this one. Pick the standards back up and get us back on track. The focus of this week is pretty simple. Defence, defence, defence. We've gone from being a top two defensive side, to conceding 30 points two weeks in a row which is not acceptable. defend like that again, and the Gold Coast will do a number on us. We need to get back to our defensive standards that have been working so well for us. We know we have the attack, we proved that over the weekend, it's just the D that needs fixing. I'm not sure what has happened the past two weeks because it was so good prior to that, but we just need to get back to it. I'll back the lads in to do that. Significantly, we should get some troops back for this one which will really help. We're near certain to get Stretch back by the sounds of it which is a massive in on his own. However, we may also be a chance of Tom returning and I have a sneaky feeling we may just see Havili come back too in a timely boost. Obviously, we've got our three Origin boys coming off that game and have no idea whether they'll play or not. Guess it all depends on how they pull up but hopefully they'll be good to go as we kind of need them, even if it is for reduced minutes.
So, it's a very important week this one that's for sure. Get back to doing what we know we can lads! Looking forward to it!
Glory, Glory.
It's a tough little road trip heading up to the Goldy for this one but I'm sure it's one the boys will be looking forward to. In years gone by, you'd look at a game against the Titans and think 'easy win,' however, I no longer believe that is the case. While at times they still remain a bit inconsistent and patchy, the Titans are a much, much better side this year than they have been in years gone by. Certainly, a much more dangerous side so we genuinely can't go into this one underestimating them. Genuinely, I believe that if they played to their potential, they are capable of beating anyone on their day and right now, they're in with a massive chance of a top eight spot so motivation will be high for them. They play a pretty exciting, free flowing brand of Footy build on speed, mobility and offloads. This is a style which has troubled us this year, so we'll need to be better against that. Significantly, over the past few Seasons, they've built a pretty good roster up there on the Gold Coast. There's genuine speed and excitement machines all over the park. A pretty potent backline with the likes of Campbell, Kelly, Sami and the new young fulla Khan-Pereira. They'll be hard to handle. Tanah Boyd is in good form, and he has the experienced Foran beside him running the side. They then have a pretty formidable forward pack lead by the likes of Fifita, Fotuaika and Fa'asuamaleaui. Obviously, we're not 100% sure if Tino and Fifita will back up from Origin and play, but we must prepare like they are. What's more, they'll be well rested and raring to go as they're coming off the bye. So, the Gold Coast can be seen as a formidable side on their day now in my eyes, I don't want to see us go into this week thinking it'll be an easy win.
For us, the stakes are pretty high this week. The boys have really dropped their standards the past two weeks and we simply cannot afford for that to be the case three weeks in a row. As I said earlier, this game is a must win. We're still in a decent position to finish top two, but these are the games you simply cannot drop if you want that to happen. I'm sure all the boys will know that, they'll be well aware, and JD will be driving that all week. I hope they're all also hurting because of the last two weeks and because of that, we have no excuse not to come out firing in this one. Pick the standards back up and get us back on track. The focus of this week is pretty simple. Defence, defence, defence. We've gone from being a top two defensive side, to conceding 30 points two weeks in a row which is not acceptable. defend like that again, and the Gold Coast will do a number on us. We need to get back to our defensive standards that have been working so well for us. We know we have the attack, we proved that over the weekend, it's just the D that needs fixing. I'm not sure what has happened the past two weeks because it was so good prior to that, but we just need to get back to it. I'll back the lads in to do that. Significantly, we should get some troops back for this one which will really help. We're near certain to get Stretch back by the sounds of it which is a massive in on his own. However, we may also be a chance of Tom returning and I have a sneaky feeling we may just see Havili come back too in a timely boost. Obviously, we've got our three Origin boys coming off that game and have no idea whether they'll play or not. Guess it all depends on how they pull up but hopefully they'll be good to go as we kind of need them, even if it is for reduced minutes.
So, it's a very important week this one that's for sure. Get back to doing what we know we can lads! Looking forward to it!
Glory, Glory.
