Cowboys, Titans and Broncos players joined forces with one very wet Santa yesterday to bring Christmas cheer to over 60 special children.

Cowboys Matthew Bowen, Luke O'Donnell, Aaron Payne, Carl Webb, Ty Williams and Manase Manuokafoa were among 18 NRL players who attended the NRL's One Community Christmas Party at ReefHQ Aquarium in Townsville.

The players met children from programs including the Townsville Hospital Foundation, Lifeline, Camp Quality, Pathways, Make-a-Wish and Foster Care Australia, as well as some other special young people.

Manase Manuokafoa (left) And Ty Williams (right) With A Young Fan

The event included a guided tour of the aquarium and the predator exhibit, featuring reef sharks, stingrays and sea turtles.

The tour was followed by a special visit from Scuba Santa, a casual afternoon tea and plenty of opportunities for photographs and autograph signings.

Scuba Santa Entertains The Crowd

Forward Carl Webb enjoyed the opportunity to help make the event a special one for the children involved.

"Talking to the children and hearing their stories is a very grounding experience," Webb said.

"All of the players would love the youngsters to go away with a special memory of the day and we're glad to have been chosen to go along."

Cowboys Media Release

11th December 2008

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Posted By: Oracle of Delphi - Category: NRL Club Reviews, Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans , North Queensland Cowboys

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NRL Club Analysis for Season '08 - Gold Coast

February 15th 2008 02:46

Gold Coast Titans

Attack – 8/10
Defence – 7/10
My prediction – 11th

After impressing many with a glittering debut season, the Gold Coast Titans will be looking to improve markedly on what was a frustrating first season. While the Titans were competitive every time they took the field, a lack of quality depth eventually saw them dip out of semi-final calculations, with the highly popular Gold Coast team eventually finishing a commendable twelfth.

A semi-final position will be the aim for coach John Cartwright and his men, with deft recruitment and a brand new stadium sure to keep the ‘Legion’ of Titans fans turning out in droves. The Gold Coast have bolstered their halves depth with new signing Ashley Harrison, and expect to see Cartwright unleash explosive rookies Shannon Walker and Will Matthews at some stage this season.

If the Titans can rectify their traveling woes of season ‘07, than expect them to figure prominently in semi-final calculations.

Strengths-

Unlike their debut season, the Titans head into season ’08 with quality depth amongst their playing ranks, with a host of new signings making the move to the popular holiday destination. The Titans inaugural season was marred by a massive injury toll to key forwards, with only captain Bailey and James Stosic at one point the only available prop forwards in the club.

Thanks to deft recruiting, the Titans now possess competition for places in every position, with the main headache now for coach Cartwright is too who to leave out of a glittering backline. The Gold Coast have speed to burn in the outside backs, with new signings Ben Jeffery, Brenton Bowen and Esi Tonga set to challenge the likes of Chris Walker, Mat Rogers, Matthew Petersen, Preston Campbell and rookie Shannon Walker for starting positions.

Weaknesses-

While the Titans new home ground (Skilled Park) is sure to become a tough home fortress, the NRL’s newest venture will have to learn to win away from home if they hope to challenge for a semi-final position. The Gold Coast only managed a paltry two wins outside of Queensland in their debut season, which ultimately saw them finish just two competition points outside of a Top 8 finish.

Best Team-

1- Chris Walker
2- Brenton Bowen
3- Mat Rogers
4- Luke O’Dwyer
5- Matt Petersen
6- Preston Campbell
7- Scott Prince
8- Luke Bailey
9- Nathan Friend
10- Brad Meyers
11- Anthony Laffranchi
12- Mark Minichiello
13- Ashley Harrison

14- Gavin Cooper
15- Luke Swain
16- Aaron Cannings
17– Michael Hodgson

Trial Matches-

16/02/08 v Canberra Raiders @ Briggs Rd Sporting Complex, Ipswich
23/02/08 v North QLD Cowboys @ Barlow Park, Cairns
01/03/08 v Wests Tigers @ Skilled Stadium, Robina

2008 Gains and Losses –

Gains –

Ashley Harrison (Sydney Roosters), Billy Ngawini and Esi Tonga (Canterbury), Aaron Cannings (Parramatta), Brenton Bowen (North QLD), Ben Jeffery (Wests Tigers), Matt Cross (Penrith)

Losses –

Richie Mathers (Wigan), David Myles (retired), Matt Hilder (Newcastle), Jake Webster (Hull), Lelea Paea (released)

*Please join me tomorrow for my Analysis of the Manly Sea-Eagles 2008 season.

Cheers,

StephenP

112

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Posted By: StephenP - Category: NRL Club Reviews, Gold Coast Titans

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Titans remain unchanged

May 1st 2007 05:50

MEDIA RELEASE - Gold Coast Titans

Jetstar Gold Coast Titans coach John Cartwright has today named an unchanged line-up to battle the North Queensland Cowboys at Carrara Stadium next Mnday night.

Cartwright has stuck with the same starting 13 that easily accounted for the Parramatta Eels last Sunday, with three players added to an extended bench to cover City - Country representatives Preston Campbell, Anthony Laffranchi and Mark Minichiello.

Great Britain fullback Richie Mathers has been named on a seven man bench for the clash, with his possible NRL debut depending on whether Campbell comes through unscathed after Thursday nights City vs Country Origin match in Coffs Harbour.

NRL Telstra premiership round 8 Monday night 7th /5/2007 Jetstar Gold
Coast Titans V NQ Cowboys

Preston Campbell
Matt Petersen
Mat Rogers
Brett Delaney
Jake Webster
Matthew Hilder
Scott Prince
Luke Bailey
Clint Amos
Brad Meyers
Anthony Laffranchi
Mark Minichiello
Luke Swain

Interchange -

Kris Kahler
Michael Hodgson
Josh Graham
Nathan Friend
Gavin Cooper
Lelea Paea
Richie Mathers

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Posted By: StephenP - Category: NRL Club Reviews, Gold Coast Titans

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Gold Coast Titans Round 3 Analysis

March 29th 2007 03:05

The Jetstar Gold Coast Titans showed tremendous determintaion to battle from 10 points down to record their innaugral premiership victory last Monday night, but the NRL's newest franchise will need to up their resolve if they hope to compete with the power and skill of a fired up Bulldogs outfit this Sunday.

One positive the Titans have going in their favour is their ability to finish over the top of their opponents, which is a direct reult of having renowned trainer Billy Johnstone in their camp. In all three of their pre-season trials, as well as their two premiership matches thus far, the Titans have finished the stronger of the two sides, with the bulk of the Coast sides total points being scored in the final quarter of the match. With the Bulldogs becoming notorious for their inability to post points in the second half of matches, this is one area that coach John Cartwright can target to cause an upset.

The experiment of playing Preston Campbell at fullback should come to a head this Sunday, with the crafty aerial game of the Bulldogs sure to test the diminutive Titans fullback. Cartwright will want to be training his mid-field defenders this week, as the Bulldogs are sure to bomb in that area, with Ryan, Mason and O'Meley set to challenge the Titans number one.

On the injury front for the Titans, former Test representative Brad Meyers returns to add some sixe to the mobile but small Titans pack, with UK fullback Richie Mathers set to make his return from injury with the Burleigh Bears this weekend.

Injuries -

Chris Walker - Broken Thumb - Round 9
Luke O'Dwyer - Ankle - unknown
Richie Mathers - Knee - Round 3

Team VS Canterbury Bulldogs:-

Preston Campbell, Lelea Paea, Matt Rogers, Jake Webster, Matthew Petersen, Matt Hilder, Scott Prince ©, Luke Bailey ©, Clint Amos, Kris Kahler, Anthony Laffranchi, Gavin Cooper, Luke Swain
Bench – Michael Henderson, Mark Minichiello, Josh Graham, Nathan Friend, Brad Meyers

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Posted By: StephenP - Category: NRL Club Reviews, Gold Coast Titans

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