Time to block out all the distractions
EMBATTLED Gold Coast coach Neil Henry says the Titans need to put the distractions of the past week behind them as they bid to win back some pride in their free-falling season.
While their poor form has been the catalyst for the public airing of the club’s dirty laundry, it has been almost forgotten this week as speculation rages over the future of Henry and star recruit Jarryd Hayne.
Hayne did not travel to Sydney with the team yesterday and an ankle injury will prevent him from turning out against his former club.
The fullback left Kogarah in a moon boot last week after suffering the injury against the Dragons and while he ran on the anti-gravity treadmill during the week and was considered a “50-50 chance” to play, he did not recover in time to face his former club for the first time since leaving in 2014.
Henry had not named his replacement at the back last night, although he has several options.
While the coach named Ashley Taylor and Tyrone Roberts in the halves on Tuesday, Roberts could run out at fullback, with Kane Elgey coming into the halves.
Long-time Titans fullback William Zillman is another option, especially with the Titans carrying under-20s centre Phillip Sami on their extended bench.
With Parramatta desperate to force their way back into the eight after a shock loss to Newcastle though, the Gold Coast’s task is not going to be simple as they attempt to turn around a four-match losing streak and continue their recent run of form against the Eels.
Henry though just wants to see a genuine effort from his players.
“We need to put the distractions away,” he said.
“It is a bit overwhelming, especially for some of our younger player that haven’t had experience in the NRL.
“And we’ve got Konrad Hurrell out and a couple of guys that have got good experience.
“And that’s a distraction but I’ve just asked them to say, ‘It’s not about me (Henry), it’s not about individuals in the club, it’s about a team performance’.
“It’s 17 players against another 17 and we need to get down there against a determined Parramatta side on the back of their loss last week.
“That’ll be up to us to try and refocus and up to the coaching staff to get the guys in the right frame of mind and for them to take the opportunity to play good footy.”
Henry conceded the players were under pressure.
“But we just need to be competitive. We need to turn up and have a real crack against a side that’s a quality team,” he said.
“That’ll be our challenge. “Our challenge is to finish the season in a positive way.”