Will EvansSeason Preview 2009 - Gold Coast Titans
February 25th 2009 07:30
Gold Coast Titans
The honeymoon period is over for everyone's second-favourite NRL side. After flying starts in their first two seasons, the Titans faded to finish 12th and 13th in 2007 and 2008 respectively - a respectable result for a fledgling club. But anything less than a finals appearance in 2009 will be regarded as a failure by coach Cartwright and the rest of the club. The holiday strip-based side has had enough time to develop combinations and finally have the depth to take them the extra step to a top-8 berth.
Strengths: A fantastic facility in Skilled Stadium and an impressive fanbase should see the Gold Coast develop an imposing home record. A savvy CEO in Michael Searle and the astute John Cartwright as coach ensures the club has the right balance off the field, hence they have so far managed to avoid the alcohol-fueled dramas that have plagued almost every other club in the past few seasons. Scott Prince is one of the game's most dominant players, and knows how to lead a club to premiership glory, while Anthony Laffranchi can lay claims to being the game's best back-rower. The Titans have a massive contingent of quality, young outside backs, ensuring anyone that wears the numbers 2-5 for the club will have earned it through good form.
Weaknesses: The ghosts of the past two seasons. If the Gold Coast start the season strongly, as they have so far in the trials, their first form blip will see them come under heavy media scrutiny, predicting another late-season fadeout. Another injury to Prince could spell doom. Schoolboy Jordan Rankin was blooded in 2008 and Brad Davis provides back-up, but it is hard to see the Titans making an impact without Prince at the helm. The Nathan Friend debacle in the off-season produced the club's first real negative press since their inception. The Titans have capable dummy-half back-up courtesy of Ian Lacey and Kayne Lawton, but a happy and in-form Friend is one of the keys to a successful 2009.
Recruitment: Gold Coast have had to relinquish several forwards in the off-season, but have signed quality players for 2009. Electrifying former-Canberra fullback William Zillman has everyone at the club buzzing - the only question that remains is where to play him. Centre appears the most likely option in the short-term, but he has the ability to be a five-star custodian or pivot. Dynamic ex-Storm back-rower Sam Tagatese has flown under the radar as far as 2009 recruits go, but will emerge as one of the buys of the year. Matt White has come from the Knights and appears to have clinched a starting front-row berth alongside Luke Bailey for the start of the season after some impressive trial form.
Youth brigade: The Titans blooded several youngsters with enormous potential in 2008, and their Toyota Cup side made the finals. Rankin, Lawton, Jordan Rapana, big forward Will Matthews and Esi Tonga, brother of Willie, can all expect to play a major role in the Gold Coast's campaign this year. Winger David Mead (previously David Moore) was one of the surprise packets of the World Cup playing for PNG, and brilliant fullback/winger Shannon Walker is set to cast aside a disappointing 2008 with a regular first grade spot.
Rep drain: Laffranchi is the only Origin shoe-in, but Prince and ball-playing lock Ashley Harrison can expect call-ups for Queensland. Luke Bailey is primed for a return to the NSW side. By and large though, the Titans will be one of the NRL's least-affected clubs.
X-factor: John Cartwright being able to nurture the mental state of his side when they suffer their first sequence of losses. The Titans have the right balance to make a finals charge in 2009, but memories of 2007-08 could see them get the wobbles. Scott Prince's fitness is still the #1 factor dictating the club's success this season.
Under pressure: 2009 represents Chris Walker's last chance as an NRL player. Once one of the game's hottest properties, Walker's career has floundered with stints at the Rabbitohs, Roosters and Storm since leaving Brisbane at the end of 2002. Last season was wrecked by injury, but the quicksilver threequarter has made noises about producing his best form this year, and a potential return to rep footy. He has plenty of competition for a first grade spot.
Ready to explode: Shannon Walker was tipped to set the NRL alight in 2008, but was sadly out of touch for the Titans' Toyota Cup side and in his brief taste of first grade. The Queensland Cup Player of the Year in 2007 as an 18-year old, Walker proclaims to have quelled the mental demons that obstructed his progress last year, and is determined to secure a backline position in 2009.
Predictions: The Titans are still one season away from finding the key to unlocking a finals spot. A finish just a win or two outside the 8 appears likely. Scott Prince will be among the front-runners for the Dally M, but how much support he gets is vital to the level of success the Titans achieve in 2009.
Tenth
The honeymoon period is over for everyone's second-favourite NRL side. After flying starts in their first two seasons, the Titans faded to finish 12th and 13th in 2007 and 2008 respectively - a respectable result for a fledgling club. But anything less than a finals appearance in 2009 will be regarded as a failure by coach Cartwright and the rest of the club. The holiday strip-based side has had enough time to develop combinations and finally have the depth to take them the extra step to a top-8 berth.
Strengths: A fantastic facility in Skilled Stadium and an impressive fanbase should see the Gold Coast develop an imposing home record. A savvy CEO in Michael Searle and the astute John Cartwright as coach ensures the club has the right balance off the field, hence they have so far managed to avoid the alcohol-fueled dramas that have plagued almost every other club in the past few seasons. Scott Prince is one of the game's most dominant players, and knows how to lead a club to premiership glory, while Anthony Laffranchi can lay claims to being the game's best back-rower. The Titans have a massive contingent of quality, young outside backs, ensuring anyone that wears the numbers 2-5 for the club will have earned it through good form.
Weaknesses: The ghosts of the past two seasons. If the Gold Coast start the season strongly, as they have so far in the trials, their first form blip will see them come under heavy media scrutiny, predicting another late-season fadeout. Another injury to Prince could spell doom. Schoolboy Jordan Rankin was blooded in 2008 and Brad Davis provides back-up, but it is hard to see the Titans making an impact without Prince at the helm. The Nathan Friend debacle in the off-season produced the club's first real negative press since their inception. The Titans have capable dummy-half back-up courtesy of Ian Lacey and Kayne Lawton, but a happy and in-form Friend is one of the keys to a successful 2009.
Recruitment: Gold Coast have had to relinquish several forwards in the off-season, but have signed quality players for 2009. Electrifying former-Canberra fullback William Zillman has everyone at the club buzzing - the only question that remains is where to play him. Centre appears the most likely option in the short-term, but he has the ability to be a five-star custodian or pivot. Dynamic ex-Storm back-rower Sam Tagatese has flown under the radar as far as 2009 recruits go, but will emerge as one of the buys of the year. Matt White has come from the Knights and appears to have clinched a starting front-row berth alongside Luke Bailey for the start of the season after some impressive trial form.
Youth brigade: The Titans blooded several youngsters with enormous potential in 2008, and their Toyota Cup side made the finals. Rankin, Lawton, Jordan Rapana, big forward Will Matthews and Esi Tonga, brother of Willie, can all expect to play a major role in the Gold Coast's campaign this year. Winger David Mead (previously David Moore) was one of the surprise packets of the World Cup playing for PNG, and brilliant fullback/winger Shannon Walker is set to cast aside a disappointing 2008 with a regular first grade spot.
Rep drain: Laffranchi is the only Origin shoe-in, but Prince and ball-playing lock Ashley Harrison can expect call-ups for Queensland. Luke Bailey is primed for a return to the NSW side. By and large though, the Titans will be one of the NRL's least-affected clubs.
X-factor: John Cartwright being able to nurture the mental state of his side when they suffer their first sequence of losses. The Titans have the right balance to make a finals charge in 2009, but memories of 2007-08 could see them get the wobbles. Scott Prince's fitness is still the #1 factor dictating the club's success this season.
Under pressure: 2009 represents Chris Walker's last chance as an NRL player. Once one of the game's hottest properties, Walker's career has floundered with stints at the Rabbitohs, Roosters and Storm since leaving Brisbane at the end of 2002. Last season was wrecked by injury, but the quicksilver threequarter has made noises about producing his best form this year, and a potential return to rep footy. He has plenty of competition for a first grade spot.
Ready to explode: Shannon Walker was tipped to set the NRL alight in 2008, but was sadly out of touch for the Titans' Toyota Cup side and in his brief taste of first grade. The Queensland Cup Player of the Year in 2007 as an 18-year old, Walker proclaims to have quelled the mental demons that obstructed his progress last year, and is determined to secure a backline position in 2009.
Predictions: The Titans are still one season away from finding the key to unlocking a finals spot. A finish just a win or two outside the 8 appears likely. Scott Prince will be among the front-runners for the Dally M, but how much support he gets is vital to the level of success the Titans achieve in 2009.
Tenth
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