Gold Coast v Penrith | Saturday, August 27, 5.30pm (AEDT), Cbus Super Stadium
With the Titans facing a tough trip to Townsville next weekend, this looms as a season-defining game for the franchise.
Neil Henry was pleased with the display of his forward pack against the Knights and they certainly have some unsung heroes in their engine room.
Jarryd Hayne was forced from the field inside the final 20 minutes after a nasty head collision but has overcome concussion tests and will line-up at fullback this week.
Penrith had a commanding win over the Tigers to leave themselves with an outside chance of hosting a final in week one.
Should be a good match-up between two boom young halfbacks in Ashley Taylor and Nathan Cleary, who both find themselves in contention for ‘Rookie of the Year’ honours after impressive debut seasons.
In front of what should be a healthy crowd, think the Titans can get the job done.
Unibet Odds:
Last time they met: Rd 11 – Penrith 24-28 Gold Coast
Tip: Gold Coast
Line tip: Gold Coast -2.5
Teams:
Titans: 1 Jarryd Hayne 2 Anthony Don 3 Josh Hoffman 4 Konrad Hurrell 5 Nene MacDonald 6 Tyrone Roberts 7 Ashley Taylor 8 Luke Douglas 9 Nathan Peats 10 Ryan James (c) 11 John Zebelon Taia 12 Chris McQueen 13 Greg Bird. Interchange: 14 David Shillington 15 Ryan Simpkins 16 Agnatius Paasi 17 Nathan Friend 18 David Mead 19 Leivaha Pulu.
Panthers: 1 Matthew Moylan (c) 2 Joshua Mansour 3 Waqa Blake 4 Tyrone Peachey 5 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6 Bryce Cartwright 7 Nathan Cleary 8 Leilani Latu 9 Peter Wallace 10 Suaia Matagi 11 Isaah Yeo 12 James Fisher-Harris 13 Trent Merrin. Interchange: 14 Sitaleki Akauola 15 Reagan Campbell-Gillard 16 Christopher Grevsmuhl 17 Zak Hardaker 20 Moses Leota 21 Jeremy Latimore.