VENUE & TIME: Skilled Park, Friday, September 3, 7.30pm (AEST)
COVERAGE: Channel 9
HEAD TO HEAD Played 6, Titans 3, Tigers 3
LAST TIME: Tigers 15 – Titans 14 at Campbelltown Stadium, Round 18, 2010
WALKING WOUNDED: The Titans have received a boost with former Test forward Anthony Laffranchi returning from a shoulder injury, but veteran full-back Preston Campbell remains sidelined with hamstring troubles. Prop Luke Bailey has been named to play despite undergoing thumb surgery at the start of the week. The Tigers have their own injury concerns, losing centre Chris Lawrence (broken jaw), full-back Wade McKinnon (hamstring) and forward John Skandalis (buttock) after Sunday's win over Melbourne. Mitch Brown (full-back), Geoff Daniela (centres) and Willie Mataka (bench) move in to fill the gaps. Second-rower Gareth Ellis will play despite picking up a cork last week, but forwards Liam Fulton (calf) and Bryce Gibbs (knee) are looking at week-one of the finals for a return.
FORM: The Titans were hoping to achieve a sixth-straight win against the Sharks at Toyota Stadium last Saturday evening, but it quickly became apparent that a positive result was not going to fall their way. With a couple of Cronulla's finest retiring, the Titans had to withstand a spirited and emotion-charged opposition that refused to relent for the majority of 80 minutes. Maybe it was the loss the Titans had to have, but it is one that could also jeopardise their top-four chances if they happen to lose again this week. The Tigers booked themselves a home final last Sunday with a razzle-dazzle 26-14 victory over the Storm in front of over 20,000 fans at Leichhardt Oval. It was their third-straight win and one that has them sitting pretty in second position on the ladder.
WHO'S HOT: For the Titans, young utility player Bodene Thompson continues to look the goods and it won't be long before he nails down a permanent spot in the starting line-up. The big unit scored two tries last week and showed great ball handling skills along the way. Speaking of attacking skills, anyone leaving Leichhardt Oval last Sunday would have felt privileged, seeing Benji Marshall back to his best. The flamboyant Tigers' pivot scored three tries, including that stunning first-half effort he started and finished in the left corner.
WE THINK: The Tigers' injury woes will prevent them from making a real impact on this game against a Titans side still extremely wary of just what a loss could do their final finishing position in the top-eight. There is little doubt the Titans were upstaged by a far more enthusiastic opponent last week and coach John Cartwright will be drilling the importance of staying focused in the lead-up to this one in order for the club to secure a prized home final. The return of Laffranchi in the pack gives the Titans a slight advantage in the forwards and they have a stronger overall bench which could prove vital in this potentially mouth-watering contest. Titans by 4.
TEAMS
Gold Coast Titans:
William Zillman, Kevin Gordon, Steve Michaels, Clinton Toopi, Jordan Atkins, Mat Rogers, Scott Prince [c], Luke Bailey, Nathan Friend, Matthew White, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Michael Henderson, Brad Meyers, Greg Bird, Bodene Thompson.
Wests Tigers:
Mitch Brown, Lote Tuqiri, Blake Ayshford, Geoff Daniela, Beau Ryan, Benji Marshall, Robert Lui, Todd Payten, Robbie Farah [c], Keith Galloway, Simon Dwyer, Gareth Ellis, Chris Heighington. Interchange: Andrew Fifita, Willie Mataka, Mark Flanagan, Daniel Fitzhenry.
Referees: Tony Archer, Gavin Badger