Tigers v Titans preview

Wests Tigers v Gold Coast Titans
Leichhardt Oval - Friday 7:35pm

Can the Tigers young guns spark a mid season revival? Or can the Gold Coast get home on the back of their big forwards?

Wests Tigers are fresh of a bye last week and will be fit and rearing to go at one of their spiritual homes Leichardt Oval. Unfortunately they will be without their best player Robbie Farah who is still recovering from his AC shoulder injury sustained in State Of Origin last Wednesday, Dene Halatau remains in the dummy half role.

Keith Galloway is back on the bench and Aaron Woods also returns from State of Origin and is starting at prop.

After starting the season 2-0, the Tigers have fallen into a big hole and since then have only won 2 of the past 9. Missed tackles and poor defensive reads have hurt the young Tigers. In the last three games they have made 99 missed tackles at an average of 33 missed tackles a game. They will need to rectify this against a Titans outfit that has some capable outside backs that wont need any second chances to showcase their talents.

The Titans only changes are Ben Ridge moving back to the bench and Dave Taylor starting in the back row. Mark Ioane comes onto the bench and Matt White has been dropped.

Gold Coast came close to a win against Souths last week, however a desperate try saving tackle by wonderkid Alex Johnston on Lachlan Burr denied the Titans a chance of that. Gold Coast are tied on the same amount of points as the Tigers and will be keen to get one over them and leapfrog them onto 10 points.

Having already lost to the Tigers so far in 2015, revenge will be on their mind.

If the Gold Coast can get their big men over the top of the Tigers forward pack, their classy outside backs such as Anthony Don and James Roberts can show their class.

Last Meeting: Wests Tigers 19 Gold Coast 18 at CBUS Stadium, Round 1, 2015
Can't split these teams folks. Locked at 7-7 after 14 clashes. The Tigers won the clash in round one and will be hoping for a clean sweep.

At Leichardt Oval there have been 2 games, with the ledger also tied (1-1). The Titans won 22-6 there last year in round 8 and The Tigers won at Leichardt in the other meeting 20-18 in Round 11, 2008

Who To Watch: A lot of eyes (mine included) will be on Wests Tigers half back Luke Brooks in this clash. He has had an up and down season so far, showing glimpses of the potential that he has, whilst also having games where he isn't involved in the action. If the Tigers are to win on Friday night Brooks needs to take the game by the scruff of the neck. The way he does this is by organizing his side, taking on the line (he can be a damaging ball runner, and is very quick) and kicking into space, his short kicking game can also be very handy to the Tigers attack. If Brooks is on song, then there is a good chance that the Tigers walk away with the 2 competition points.

Anthony Don is having a stellar 2015. After his double last week against Souths, he went to 10 tries for the season and 24 tries in just 37 games in his career. He has a great ability to get into space and show great support play to his fellow backs. Playing outside James Roberts (who is in career best form) has certainly helped his game. If the inexperienced Tigers outside backs leave him unmarked then Don will hurt them and probably cross for a few tries. May be a good bet for first try scorer too!

The Favourite: Tigers slight favourites in this clash, with the return of Woods and the game being at home.

The Tip: Tigers in this one guys and gals. Being at home will boost them and in the week off Jason Taylor would have worked on their defensive lapses. Titans were good attacking wise last week but handling errors are still hurting them. If they don't rectify that it could be a long night. Expecting a high scoring game.

Tigers by 10.

1. James Tedesco 2. Kevin Naiqama 3. David Nofoaluma 4. Delouise Hoeter 5. Pat Richards 6. Mitchell Moses 7. Luke Brooks 8. Aaron Woods 9. Dene Halatau 10. Sauaso Sue 11. Curtis Sironen 12. Chris Lawrence 13. Martin Taupau
Interchange: 14. Ava Seumanufagai 15. Keith Galloway 16. Kyle Lovett 17. Jack Buchanan 18. Manaia Cherrington 19. Matthew Lodge

1. Josh Hoffman 2. Anthony Don 3. James Roberts 19. Brad Tighe 5. Kevin Gordon 6. Aidan Sezer 7. Kane Elgey 8. Luke Douglas 9. Daniel Mortimer 10. Nate Myles 11. Ryan James 12. Dave Taylor 13. Lachlan Burr
Interchange: 14. Mark Ioane 15. Eddy Pettybourne 16. Ben Ridge 17. Kierran Moseley 18. Agnatius Paasi

Referees: Ashley Klein, Henry Perenara; Sideline Officials: Ricky MacFarlane, Russell Turner; Video Referees: Steve Chiddy, Luke Patten;

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