Titans out to ruin party
Gold Coast aim to spoil milestone match
RUGBY LEAGUE: The Titans will be out to spoil Paul Gallen’s party as they desperately search for a confidence-inspiring victory at Shark Park today.
Gold Coast are coming off a dreadful 21-0 round-one loss to Canberra in front of their home fans and the pressure is on to show supporters they can in fact be contenders in 2019 as they have promised to be.
They are not the only ones with all to play for, though.
Cronulla also lost first-up, going down 14-8 to Newcastle – a result that moved Gallen to within one loss of an unwanted record.
Former Titans halfback Scott Prince holds the record for playing in the most NRL losses but his tally of 166 is just one ahead of Gallen’s now.
A bounce-back win for the Titans will see the divisive former NSW captain draw level with Prince at a time when his tremendous career is being celebrated.
The 37-year-old will today equal Andrew Ettingshausen’s record for the most NRL matches for the Sharks – 328 – little more than 24 hours after officially announcing his endof-season retirement yesterday.
While the spotlight will be on Gallen, Gold Coast forward Kevin Proctor said the Titans were focused on getting a win and had been unaware they could hand the Sharks skipper a record-setting defeat.
“I didn’t know that, to be honest,” Proctor said.
“Both teams are trying to come out with the win – you don’t ever go into a game wanting to lose – so yeah, hopefully we can spoil the party.”
The Kiwi second-rower is a long-time adversary of Gallen’s, having played against him in the Test arena as well as in the 2016 grand final when he was at the Storm, and praised the tireless workhorse’s 19-year career.
“I have played against Gal heaps and he’s a fierce competitor,” Proctor said.
“You know what you are going to get with him.
“He is just going to work hard all game and doesn’t give you any easy tackles.
“I’m looking forward to the battle this weekend and I’m sure he won’t be going easy.”