Check out the match preview and prediction for the round 27 clash between Titans and Bulldogs.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Gold Coast Titans Vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Venue: CBUS Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Date: Sunday 3rd September, 2:00pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Kieran Foran 7. Thomas Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Klese Haas 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Keano Kini 15. Kruise Leeming 16. Joe Stimson 17. Jacob Alick 18. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 19. Joseph Vuna 20. Tony Francis 21. Josiah Pahulu 22. Ken Maumalo
Bulldogs: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Luke Thompson 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Liam Knight 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Corey Waddell 13. Max King 14. Kyle Flanagan 15. Sam Hughes 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Jayden Okunbor 19. Jeral Skelton 20. Bailey Biondi-odo 21. Jayden Tanner 22. Ryan Sutton 23. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Referee: Kasey Badger
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
On Sunday afternoon the Bulldogs will make their way up to Queensland to take on the Gold Coast Titans at CBUS Super Stadium in what could be a nail biter for both teams in their last match of the season.
The last time the 13th placed Titans and 15th placed Bulldogs met were at Accor stadium in Round 12, which saw the Titans only narrowly defeated by the Bulldogs with a final score line of 20-18.
With a 4-6 record at CBUS Super Stadium, the Titans will look to save face this weekend, hoping for a home ground advantage, as they fight to maintain their position on the ladder to end out the season.
Their confidence has certainly taken a battering lately as they contend with a string of huge loses, their previous meeting against the Melbourne Storm saw them defeated 37-16.
The Titans will need to work on tightening their weakness in defence this match, focusing on Bulldogs key players, Jake Averillo and Matt Burton with the addition of Max King.
Their solid backline will help to lead the way with AJ Brimson teaming up with Kieran Foran and Alofiana Khan-Pereira.
AJ Brimson may be a concern for the Bulldogs given his stats of 11 try assists, 53 tackle breaks and averaging 133 running metres.
Khan-Pereira will be an intimidating force with his speed, endurance, and unpredictable moves, making 19 tries, 29 line breaks, 33 tackle breaks and averaging 114 running metres.
The Titans have fielded an equally formidable forward pack as the Bulldogs will need to contend with David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.
Fa’asuamaleaui’s remarkable stats of 48 tackles breaks, 15.3 average hit-ups, 1111.9 post contact metres, 600 defensive tackles made with 92.3 percent tackle efficiency and averaging 166 running metres may be no match for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs last meeting was against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles who swooped down to take the win defeating them 42-24, but the Bulldogs did not go without a fight.
They will feel the difference in their side on Sunday, missing Tevita Pangai Junior due to injury and Harrison Edwards, but will see the return of Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Ryan Sutton from injury and they are named in the reserves. With new faces on the bench, Sam Hughes, and Kurtis Morrin.
The strength and guidance from Burton and Averillo in the backlines will help build the confidence of the players.
With Burton setting up plays with Toby Sexton, Blake Wilson and Averillo, this could be enough to get a ready and willing Bulldogs side over the line.
Burton has made 55 goals, 351.6 average kicking metres, 16 try assists, 13 line breaks and 350 defensive tackles just this season.
With Sexton making an average of 160.1 kicking metres and 151 defensive tackles made just this season.
Wilson provides the power on the wing for the Bulldogs with 15 line breaks, 57 tackle breaks and averaging 151 running metres.
Averillo’s playing ability and unstoppable moves, smashing through the opposition, could shake the confidence of some of the most experienced of Titan’s players, making 12 tries, 12 line breaks, 64 tackle breaks, 228 defensive tackles made and averaging 108 running metres just this season.
The Bulldogs will place their confidence in a stable forward pack of Viliame Kikau, Reed Mahoney and Max King, who replaces Harrison Edwards, to hold off an eager Titans side.
In the absence of Edwards, King could make an impact for the Bulldogs with his strengths in attack making 16 tackle breaks, 810.7 post contact metres, 803 defensive tackles with a tackle efficiency of 93.9 percent and averages 105 running metres just this season.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Titans 4, Bulldogs 6
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Titans by 12 points.
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