NRL Round 21 Preview and Prediction - Gold Coast Titans v Wests Tigers @ CBUS Super Stadium
Gold Coast Titans (11th) v Wests Tigers (15th) @ CBUS Super Stadium
Preview - The Titans will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing loss to the Panthers when they host the struggling Wests Tigers at CBUS Super Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Titans’ 3-game winning streak was brought to a grinding halt as they made far too many errors in slipping to a costly 24-16 loss to the Panthers at Pepper Stadium. The Titans are now rooted on just 7 wins and would need to win all of their remaining 6 games to ensure they make it back to the finals after their fantastic 2016 season. The Tigers slumped to a familiar close defeat, despite being highly competitive once again against the Eels. The Tigers have lost a number of close games this year and often get in positions to win games but do not have the quality or experience to close games out, and that was once again on show in their 17-16 defeat at the hands of the Eels on Sunday.
History - These sides had already clashed this season with the Titans running out convincing 26-14 winners at Campbelltown Stadium. The Titans have a great recent record against the Tigers having won the past 3 clashes between the clubs. While the Titans have managed to win 6 of their 10 clashes against the Tigers on the Gold Coast they have gone down by 1 point on 3 occasions.
Gold Coast Titans’ Scouting Report - The Titans have lost their enforcer in the centres in Konrad Hurrell through injury, with John Olive coming into replace him. Hurrell terrorised the Tigers earlier this season, scoring 2 tries when the teams clashed at Campbelltown. Kane Elgey is some chance to return to the side, having been named in 18th man.
Wests Tigers’ Scouting Report - Veteran backrower Chris Lawrence finally looks set to return to the Tigers’ starting side after a frustrating run of niggling injuries. The inconsistent Suaso Sue is back on the bench after completing his one-week suspension with Kyle Lovett. The Tigers’ young forwards have impressed in the past couple of months, with both Matt Eisenhuth and Alex Twal both looking like they could push for places in a stronger Tigers’ squad in 2018.
Verdict - Tigers by 1-8 in a high scoring game
This game could be a wild and whacky affair with both sides capable of good football, but far too often this year putting in disappointing performances. I just have a gut feeling the Tigers might produce something this afternoon and upset the heavily favoured Titans. The Titans really should win this game at home as they have a really good record against the Tigers the past couple of seasons however I think they are liable to being a little complacent. Given this is an afternoon game played on a fast track on the Gold Coast, I’m not expecting defence to be a huge priority in this game and points to reign supreme here. I think the Tigers are capable of scoring 20 and might just win a high scoring thriller with plenty of thrills and spills.