Titans v Dragons: Hannay rejigs bench; Suli out for Dragons
Two teams on the hunt for their first win go head-to-head with the Gold Coast to host the Dragons to close out Round 4.
After a poor performance in Round 1, home side the Titans have show signs of what coach Josh Hannay is looking for in their following two matches, but with no results.
After getting out to a big lead against the Dolphins slip in Round 2, they slipped away in the second half and last week against the Cowboys, there were some good signs in the first half - especially off the back of the return of Jayden Campbell - before they again fell away.
The Dragons have also had their chances and pushed the Bulldogs all the way in Round 1, going down in a golden point thriller in Las Vegas.
Last week against the Eels, they were in the lead for stages in both halves, but could not find the right plays when it mattered to secure their maiden victory for the season.
Both teams are in the top 10 for missed tackles and penalties conceded, stats the coaches will be looking to clean up quick smart.
Match: Titans v Dragons
Round 4 -
home Team
Titans
16th Position
away Team
Dragons
17th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Team News
Titans: A few changes to the interchange 24-hours out from the game. Tukimihia Simpkins and Josh Patston drop out and Jaylan De Groot and debutant Oliver Pascoe move up from the reserves. Earlier, Jayden Campbell was named to wear the No.7 jersey and lead the Titans around the park after being a late inclusion in the starting side last week. The halfback showed no signs of a hamstring injury that kept him off the field in the opening two rounds and is looking to steer Gold Coast to victory. Josh Hannay has the luxury of stability as the Titans chase their first win of the year.
Dragons: A change in the 24-hour update sees Hayden Buchanan come into the centres with Moses Suli (personal reasons) out of the game. Tyrell Sloan moves up into the six-player interchange bench, with Lyhkan King-Togia remaining in the reserves. Identical twins Ryan (suspension) and Toby (concussion protocols) Couchman will miss Sunday night's clash with the Titans, paving the way for Blake Lawrie to start at prop and Hamish Stewart at lock. Coach Shane Flanagan has opted to use Stewart off the bench in the opening weeks of the season, so we could see Hame Sele come into the starting side on game day.
Match: Titans v Dragons
Round 4 -
home Team
Titans
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Titans is number 1 Keano KiniFullback for Dragons is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
-
Winger for Titans is number 2 Sialetili FaeamaniWinger for Dragons is number 2 Christian Tuipulotu
-
Centre for Titans is number 3 Jojo FifitaCentre for Dragons is number 4 Valentine Holmes
-
Centre for Titans is number 6 AJ BrimsonCentre for Dragons is number 19 Hayden Buchanan
-
Winger for Titans is number 5 Phillip SamiWinger for Dragons is number 20 Tyrell Sloan
-
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 18 Lachlan IliasFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle Flanagan
-
Halfback for Titans is number 7 Jayden CampbellHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Daniel Atkinson
Forwards
-
Prop for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleauiProp for Dragons is number 8 Emre Guler
-
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Sam VerrillsHooker for Dragons is number 9 Damien Cook
-
Prop for Titans is number 16 Klese HaasProp for Dragons is number 10 Blake Lawrie
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Arama Hau2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A
-
Lock for Titans is number 13 Chris RandallLock for Dragons is number 15 Hame Sele
Interchange
-
Interchange for Titans is number 8 Moeaki FotuaikaInterchange for Dragons is number 13 Hamish Stewart
-
Interchange for Titans is number 14 Kurtis MorrinInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle
-
Interchange for Titans is number 17 Cooper BaiInterchange for Dragons is number 18 Josh Kerr
-
Interchange for Titans is number 21 Oliver PascoeInterchange for Dragons is number 22 Lyhkan King-Togia
Reserves
-
Reserve for Titans is number 4 Max FeagaiReserve for Dragons is number 16 Jacob Halangahu
-
Reserve for Titans is number 22 Jett LiuReserve for Dragons is number 17 Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Titans have won only one of their past nine games.
- The Dragons have won five of their past six games against the Titans.
- Titans halfback Jayden Campbell has scored four tries in his last three games.
- Dragons fullback Clint Gutherson has scored five tries in his last five games against the Titans.
- Titans winger Jojo Fifita has scored three tries in three games against the Dragons.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
