Looking to rectify a horror run at home, Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook has targeted a fast start in Sunday’s NRL clash with Parramatta.
Still disappointed after being ambushed early by a pumped up Canberra Raiders in their opening 24-6 opening round loss in the nation’s capital, Holbrook wants the Titans to show their true colours against the Eels.
But that may be easier said than done considering their miserable home record.
The Gold Coast Titans are on a nine-match losing streak as a home team – the longest streak in the NRL.
And overall, they have lost a club record 12 straight since their last victory in round 13 last year.
Still, Holbrook was hopeful the Titans would reverse their fortunes by hitting the ground running on Sunday against an Eels outfit still buzzing from their opening round 8-2 win over Canterbury.
“I thought collectively early we were flat (against the Raiders) which was the most disappointing thing – if we fix that up we will be okay,” said Holbrook.
“For us, it is about us being proud of the way we play and I think we let ourselves down last week.
“From what I have seen all pre-season and in the trials and at the Nines, that was not what we displayed last week. But we get a chance tomorrow to do that – we will be ready to go.”
Cynics could argue the Titans hold a firm advantage over the Eels at an empty Cbus Super Stadum due to the coronavirus pandemic after years of playing in front of paltry home crowds.
But Holbrook did not believe the empty stands would be a factor on Sunday.
“Players just get on with it once you start playing. We’ve seen some good games already and I expect no different tomorrow,” he said.
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur was more worried about the wounded Titans than playing in front of an empty stadium.
“That (no crowd) is going to be about mental application,” he said.
“That’s what we have talked about and we are going to make sure we have the want and desire when we go there because we still have a job to do.
“And they (Titans) are a team that likes to play with the football so we have to make sure defensively that we are on our job.”
Parramatta will fly in and out for the game on Sunday but Arthur claimed it would be business as usual for his side.
“We are looking forward to it, it’s an extra day at home for the boys,” Arthur said.
“And we had practice last year against the Titans and Broncos when we went up on the day of (the game)…and it went smoothly.”
STATS THAT MATTER
* The Titans will become the sixth team in the NRL era to lose 13 straight matches if they fall to Parramatta
* The Titans are edging closer to the old Gold Coast’s franchise record of 16 straight losses, which they set in 1993
* The Titans will be out to avoid losing their opening two matches for the second straight season