GOING IN STYLE
Today may be Johnathan Thurston’s show but the Titans have their own assignment, as Emma Greenwood discovers
THE Titans won’t let sentiment of Johnathan Thurston’s last game distract them from finishing their season in style.
Gold Coast are well aware of the passion and conviction the Cowboys will play with at Cbus Super Stadium tonight as they attempt to send immortal-in-waiting Thurston into retirement on a winning note.
But just as they did in their first game at Robina in 2008 – where they handed a Cowboys team containing Thurston returning from shoulder surgery a 36-18 loss – the Titans are determined to rule in their backyard regardless of the champion’s farewell.
“This is our house, this is our home game and the last time our fans get to see us this year,” Brennan said.
“It’s important we play well, we put in a really good performance and we play hard.
“The boys are excited about playing against Johnathan Thurston in his last game – how could you not be.
“It’s important we keep building. (Saturday’s game) is another step towards where we want to be heading and it’s important that we put in a good performance going into 2019.”
In a sold out match, the Titans have the chance to present their brand of football in front of about 15,000 more spectators than the average 12,730 fans that have attended home matches this season. And they are determined not to waste the chance.
“Every time we take the field it’s important we show our fans and our supporters where we’re heading,” Brennan said.
“I think we’ve done that pretty well this year so far. It’s a massive occasion ... so it’s important that we go out there and put in a good performance.
THIS IS OUR HOUSE, THIS IS OUR HOME GAME AND THE LAST TIME OUR FANS GET TO SEE US THIS YEAR
TITANS COACH GARTH BRENNAN
“People said to me six weeks ago ‘you’re out of semifinal contention now, how’s your team going to go ... are they going to give up?
“You can see over the last month or so we’ve been in the fight. That’s not the attitude and that’s not the culture in this footy team.”
Captain Ryan James and his players are determined to finish the year on a high.
“We know it’s (Thurston’s) last game and we don’t want to send him out a winner,” he said. “We’ll do everything we can to go out there and get the win and just play our style.”