Preview: Titans v Warriors

VENUE & TIME: Skilled Park, Friday, September 10, 7.35pm (AEST)
COVERAGE: Channel 9
HEAD TO HEADPlayed 7, Titans 5, Warriors 2
LAST TIME: Titans 28 – Warriors 20 at Mt Smart Stadium, Round 21, 2010

WALKING WOUNDED: The Titans certainly have their injury concerns, but all players in doubt should take the field with the exception of full-back Preston Campbell (hamstring) who coach John Cartwright rates as 'very doubtful'. Luke Bailey (thumb surgery), Mat Rogers (hip), Brad Meyers (ribs) and Steve Michaels (shoulder) are expected to take their ailments into the game, while second-rower Mark Minichiello limped off the training paddock on Tuesday, but should be right. Skipper Scott Prince has declared himself a certain starter despite suffering what was initially feared to be a serious shoulder/AC joint injury last Friday night against the Tigers. The Warriors have fewer injury concerns, with Michael Luck returning at lock from a nasty leg gash suffered against Manly in Round 24. Hooker Ian Henderson remains sidelined with a knee injury, while his in-form replacement Aaron Heremaia will play despite picking up a foot injury at the weekend.

FORM: Apart from a glitch in Round 25 against the Sharks, the Titans have been in tip top form over the past seven weeks and coach John Cartwright must now be feeling confident his experienced troops can cause some real damage in the finals. The Titans got an early taste of finals last Friday night when, after leading 13-0 early, they were forced to fend off a spirited Tigers outfit in front of a near-capacity Skilled Park. They may be new club, but there are some old heads in the side that know plenty about big time footy. The Warrriors secured fifth position on the premiership ladder courtesy of a patient 26-12 victory over the Eels last Saturday night. With much of the focus surrounding the final appearance of Eels co-skipper Nathan Cayless, the Warriors succeeded in fending off an emotion-charged Parramatta side in the first half before cashing in midway through the second stanza to secure a fourth win from their five previous starts. Coach Ivan Cleary has his troops playing a brand of footy that could well prove fruitful in the finals.

WHO'S HOT: You need to have a good half-back to perform in the finals and the Titans have certainly got that in the form of skipper Scott Prince. There were collective groans around Skilled Park last Friday night when the former Test star went down with a shoulder injury in the first half, but he returned in the second stanza to set up a crucial left-edge try for speedster Kevin Gordon. Prince was rewarded for his fine 2010 form with the Dally M half-back of the year gong. Speaking of form No. 7's, the Warriors' Brett Seymour has looked the goods since returning from injury. The former Bronco and Shark had a quality game against the Eels last weekend, kicking with great precision and setting up two tries.

WE THINK: Normally the 4 v 5 game under the McIntyre System is seen as a bit of meaningless encounter due to the fact that both sides could well be turning out again the following week if all the results go according to plan. But with the top-eight teams so evenly matched this season, there's a definite