The second of Sunday night’s NRL Round 21 matches is between Gold Coast Titans and Wests Tigers. The opening kick is set to commence at 3.00pm local time with the game to be played at Skilled Park. The home team the Gold Coast Titans are the current favourites in the market. View our preview and teams for the game between Gold Coast Titans and Wests Tigers.
Skilled Park
Sunday 3.00pm
Gold Coast Titans $1.60 vs Wests Tigers $2.35 at Sportsbet Australia get a $250 FREE BET on this match
Gold Coast Titans $1.63 vs Wests Tigers $2.32 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match
Odds Comparison by NRL Odds:
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| Gold Coast Titans | 1.60 | 1.60 | 1.63 | 1.60 | 1.60 | 1.63 |
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Wests Tigers
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2.35 | 2.35 | 2.32 | 2.35 | 2.35 | 2.35 |
Preview:
A horror month of unacceptable performances has seen the Gold Coast concede a combined 156 points in four matches, compared to 58 points for.
Last week the Titans returned to their home ground after three weeks on the road and welcomed back Origin duo of Myles and Bird but that still wasn’t enough to halt their run of poor showings and South Sydney handed them a 32 – 4 hiding.
Now in eleventh spot on the ladder – one win outside of the eight, the Titans have placed themselves in a position that each of their remaining games, is a must win.
Their opponents this week are playing for pride only.
The Tigers have had a tumultuous year both on and off the field and will be one of several teams glad to see the 2013 season come to an end.
They lost their third game in a row last week when accounted for by Manly on Monday night – 36 – 18.
There hasn’t been much between these two sides in recent times with three of the past four matches, of which the honours are split 2-2, being decided by 6 points or less. These clashes can also produce a field goal with again, three of the past four having had included a one-pointer.
The Tigers have the side and ability to worry the Titans who seem helpless in being able to turn their form around.
They get their last bite of the cherry here however and keep whatever faint hope they have of proceeding into September.
The market has the Titans $1.60 and whilst there opposition this week may not be as strong as that that they have faced in recent weeks, it’s hard to be confident in the Titans at that price.
Teams:
Gold Coast Titans:
David Mead, Kevin Gordon, Brad Takairangi, Jamie Dowling, Anthony Don, Ashley Harrison, Aidan Sezer, Luke Douglas, Beau Falloon, Nate Myles (capt), Ben Ridge, Mark Minichiello, Greg Bird (capt). Interchange: David Taylor, Ryan James, Luke O’Dwyer, Sam Irwin.
Wests Tigers:
James Tedesco, David Nofoaluma, Blake Ayshford, Chris Lawrence, Tim Simona, Benji Marshall, Curtis Sironen, Jack Buchanan, Robbie Farah (capt), Adam Blair, Liam Fulton, Bodene Thompson, Sauaso Sue. Interchange: Ava Seumanufagai, Keith Galloway, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Braith Anasta, Shaun Spence (one to be omitted).
Business as usual for Titans coach
Gold Coast coach John Cartwright says he can’t let media speculation over his future affect his work with the NRL club.
Cartwright’s position has come up for discussion following last weekend’s 32-4 loss to South Sydney, which left the club poised to miss out on finals for the third straight year.
Cartwright will meet with the club’s interim chief executive Darryl Kelly on Wednesday but says contrary to media reports, the meeting is nothing out of the ordinary.
Claiming reporters loved seeing a coach under pressure, Cartwright said as far as he’s concerned it’s business as normal ahead of Sunday’s must-win clash with Wests Tigers.
“I don’t feel any more pressure than when I started the job,” Cartwright said.
“I can’t let that affect the performance that I do for the players.
“What people say is out of my control, I’ll just go and do my job.
“As a club we’ve been under the pump for a long time. We’ve got some stable footings now, but we’ve still got a lot of catching up to do.
“We’re going to be of the equal of all other clubs very soon.”
Cartwright says his concerns are more immediate with a hefty injury toll from the bruising loss to the Rabbitohs forcing him to put together a makeshift team to play the Tigers.
Matt Srama (ankle), Luke Bailey (ankle) and Albert Kelly (sternum) have all been ruled out while William Zillman remains unavailable due to an ongoing groin complaint.
It’s forced Cartwright to name Ashley Harrison at five-eighth while winger David Mean will move to fullback.
The Titans are two games outside the eight with just six rounds remaining and can all but kiss their finals hopes goodbye if they don’t beat the Tigers.
“It’s a season of 26 games not 16, the faith I have is there is a side there that can compete with any side in the competition,” he said.
“We’ve just got to keep digging deep. I’ll keep digging deep to find a way we can get back to where we were.”
Titans: David Mead, Kevin Gordon, Brad Takairangi, Jamie Dowling, Anthony Don, Ashley Harrison, Aidan Sezer, Luke Douglas, Beau Falloon, Nate Myles, Ben Ridge, Mark Minichiello, Greg Bird. Interchange: David Taylor, Ryan James, Luke O’Dwyer, Sam Irwin.