RISE OF THETITANS
THE Gold Coast Titans overcame the loss of key players to see off the Parramatta Eels in an againstthe-odds victory at Cbus Super Stadium last night. The Titans hung on to defeat the ladder leaders 26-14 for their first win of the season. Konrad Hurrell (left) celebrates with Nate Peteru.
TITANS co-captain Kevin Proctor praised the courage and resilience of his troops after the Gold Coast produced one of the grittiest victories in the club’s 10-year history.
Defying an injury crisis that plunged even deeper into the abyss last night, the Titans rallied together to produce a victory for the ages.
The against-the-odds 26-14 win over ladder leaders Parramatta at Cbus Super Stadium last night came after outscoring the Eels 26-2 following the visitor’s early 12-0 lead.
“That’s been us all year, I reckon, we’ve been having injuries left, right and centre and the boys kept turning up and doing their job,’’ Proctor said.
And while it was a different feeling from what he had experienced at perennial favourites Melbourne, Proctor was happy with the difference.
“I would rather be the underdog, coming from Melbourne you’re always the favourite,’’ he said.
Dale Copley may have been held back from making his Titans debut last night, but he will be rushed into the squad for next week’s game against the Cowboys after more Gold Coast players joined the casualty ward.
Gold Coast’s backline stocks were already thin heading into the match but they are now at an all-time low after William Zillman reinjured his calf early in the game and Konrad Hurrell was forced from the field with concussion.
They were among several injury issues in last night’s game and while Zillman was the only player not to return to the field Ryan James (head knock), Tyrone Roberts (hamstring), Ryan Simpkins (head knock), Ashley Taylor (head knock), Joe Greenwood (head knock), Tyler Cornish (groin) all founds themselves in the hands of trainers throughout the game. Titans coach Neil Henry said it was the type of courageous win that could spark their season and give his men confidence.
“It was another tough night, we had players out of position with Zilly going down early, so they adapted and hung on there - well we didn’t hang on ... we had to play some football to get there,” Henry said.
“There was every reason to shut up shop after going 12-0down early. We were disappointed with our efforts in the first two rounds, particularly defensively.
“Everyone played their role out there. That just shows you what the game’s like.
“You can have every reason not to win and turn around and win It’s a great result.
“It gives us confidence, it certainly should, that we can play that style of football.
“The guys that went out there said, ‘Right, this is the 17 we’ve got, we’re going to get the job done’.
“We can use that as a stepping stone moving forward to say this is what you can achieve if you knuckle down and get the job done.”
Copley’s entry, which was blocked by the NRL this week, will at least ease the Titans’ injury woes for the upcoming Cowboys clash.
However, only time will tell if the Gold Coast have 17 fit players in the right positions for that game.