Titans to click ‘sooner or later’, says Foran
The Gold Coast Titans have a chance to rediscover the winning ways of two rounds ago when they host the North Queensland Cowboys this weekend.
Gold Coast’s only victory of the season came in round eight with a 27-24 triumph over the Warriors in Auckland.
Despite a slow start to the season, the Titans have found some form over the past month and their past three losses have each been by a margin four points or less.
Captain Kieran Foran is pleased with the progress Gold Coast has made under coach Des Hasler.
“I think you’d be naive to think we haven’t improved dramatically,” Foran said.
“The results don’t show that just yet.
“If you know your footy you can see we’re heading in the right direction; sooner or later it’s going to click, and when it does we’re in for quite an exciting few years ahead.”
The Titans will be without fiveeighth Tanah Boyd for about six weeks after he dislocated his wrist in last weekend’s loss to the Storm.
“It’s been tough, it’s been really unfortunate,” Foran said of the Titans injuries.
“We’ve had a lot of movement with injuries, stuff that’s been out of our control with our spine, and that’s been difficult but I think we’re enjoying the challenge.”
Chris Randall has shifted to fiveeighth in Boyd’s absence, while Sam Verrills has been promoted from the interchange to fill the subsequent void left at hooker.
There was speculation that AJ Brimson would move to the halves but he will remain at fullback, with
Foran noting his form had been “sublime”.
Despite David Fifita’s impending departure following his decision to not take up the option to say at the Titans beyond 2024, Hasler was adamant it would not have any effect on the rest of the season.
“Of course he’ll play and he’ll play well, and we’ll get on with what we’re working at and what we want to do this year,” Hasler said.
Gold Coast last met this week’s opponent just over a month ago in round five, falling 35-22 to the Cowboys in Townsville.
“The Cows can play some really good football ... they got us earlier in the year and we think we know what they’re going to do so we just got to go after them and hopefully chalk up another win,” front-rower Jaimin Jolliffe said.
The game at CBUS Super Stadium kicks off at 4.05pm on Sunday.