Oracle of Delphi
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Craig HillRound seven NRL Preview - Titans vs Eels
April 28th 2007 13:38
VENUE and TIME: Carrara Stadium, Sunday 3pm
HEAD TO HEAD: First Clash
COVERAGE: Channel 9, 4pm
LAST 5 CLASHES: First Clash
MEDICAL ROOM:
One of the main concerns for the Titans heading into their debut season was their supposed lack of depth if injuries occur to their top squad. That question has been answered thanks to players like Matt Hilder, Anthony Laffranchi, Lelea Paea and Kris Kahler having taken the next step into becoming now reliable, consistent first grade players. While the likes of Luke O’Dwyer (ankle), Michael Henderson (leg) and Chris Walker (disciplinary reasons) have and will miss large chunks of this season, it has been the ability of the fringe first graders to step up a level that has kept the Titans mid-table.
Parramatta has no such worries when it comes to depth, with the western Sydney franchise possessing possibly the best junior nursery in the NRL. New coach Michael Hagan has had a fairly trouble free run with injuries thus far, with only back rowers Mark Riddell (thumb) and Chad Robinson (hand) unavailable for this clash, with both players expected to return next week against the Roosters.
FORM:
The Gold Coast struggled to score points last week against the dominant Manly defence, and they really need to find an alternative to the play making skills of Scott Prince. The Titans have been impressive defensively this season, but it is their attack that would be causing the most concern for coach Cartwright.
After a slow start, Parramatta had won three straight before narrowly going down to a patient Bulldogs outfit at Parramatta Stadium last Sunday. The signs are there for coach Hagan that combinations are just starting to gel, with the ball playing Eels forwards starting to create some second phase play for their talented outside supports.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Scott Prince vs Tim Smith
Prince has probably been the most consistent half in the competition this season, with the Titans play maker responsible for setting up the bulk of the Gold Coast’s attacking moves. Prince has relished the new leadership responsibilities bestowed on him, and his verbal clash with the Eels Tim Smith could well be the most entertaining battle of the afternoon.
Smith is just starting to run into the form that saw him receive the majority of rookie awards in season 2005, with his short attacking kicks for his rampant supports keeping many a defence honest. Much maligned before the season, Smith’s combination with new five-eight Brett Finch is just starting to come together. If Smith and Finch fire, than it could be a long afternoon for the Titans!
Anthony Laffranchi vs Nathan Hindmarsh
Off field distractions aside, Laffranchi has been in close to career best form in season ’07, with the workaholic backrower the Titans unsung hero. Currently fourth on the leading tacklers lists for the season, Laffranchi has been the Titans clean up man when his young team mates have tired. If Laffranchi can fire against the best backrower in the business (Hindmarsh) then he just may play himself into a Country / NSW jersey for the upcoming representative season.
With the return of brother Ian to the Eels club this season, we have witnessed the renaissance of one of the most feared running back rowers in Nathan Hindmarsh this season. Having endured a mountain of defence over the past two seasons, ‘Hindy’ has relished the chance to run a bit wider this season, with the tireless backrower the clubs leading try scorer with three for the season. With the Titans playing their smaller halves in defence out wide, then a rampaging Hindmarsh on the fringes may just add to that try tally this Sunday.
VERDICT:
Both of these teams are coming off last round losses, so they will definitely be fired up for this clash. The Eels seem to have a decide advantage in size across the park, with the Parramatta backline in particular looking extremely daunting. Frustration alone could see Grothe, Hayne and Tahu break their current try scoring drought, and with the Smith and Finch partnership staring to look lethal, than the Titans may be facing their first loss on ‘home’ soil.
Parramatta by 12
Gold Coast Titans -
Preston Campbell, Lelea Paea, Mat Rogers, Brett Delaney, Jake Webster, Matt Hilder, Scott Prince ©, Luke Swain, Mark Minichiello, Anthony Laffranchi, Brad Meyers, Clint Amos, Luke Bailey ©
Interchange - Nathan Friend, Kris Kahler, Gavin Cooper, Michael Hodgson, Josh Graham, Matt Petersen
Parramatta Eels -
Luke Burt, Jarryd Hayne, Ben Smith, Timana Tahu, Eric Grothe, Brett Finch, Tim Smith, Daniel Wagon, Ian Hindmarsh, Nathan Hindmarsh, Fuifui Moimoi, PJ Marsh, Nathan Cayless ©
Interchange - Josh Cordoba, Feleti Mateo, Blake Green, Aaron Cannings, Zeb Taia
Referee - Tony Archer
HEAD TO HEAD: First Clash
COVERAGE: Channel 9, 4pm
LAST 5 CLASHES: First Clash
MEDICAL ROOM:
One of the main concerns for the Titans heading into their debut season was their supposed lack of depth if injuries occur to their top squad. That question has been answered thanks to players like Matt Hilder, Anthony Laffranchi, Lelea Paea and Kris Kahler having taken the next step into becoming now reliable, consistent first grade players. While the likes of Luke O’Dwyer (ankle), Michael Henderson (leg) and Chris Walker (disciplinary reasons) have and will miss large chunks of this season, it has been the ability of the fringe first graders to step up a level that has kept the Titans mid-table.
Parramatta has no such worries when it comes to depth, with the western Sydney franchise possessing possibly the best junior nursery in the NRL. New coach Michael Hagan has had a fairly trouble free run with injuries thus far, with only back rowers Mark Riddell (thumb) and Chad Robinson (hand) unavailable for this clash, with both players expected to return next week against the Roosters.
FORM:
The Gold Coast struggled to score points last week against the dominant Manly defence, and they really need to find an alternative to the play making skills of Scott Prince. The Titans have been impressive defensively this season, but it is their attack that would be causing the most concern for coach Cartwright.
After a slow start, Parramatta had won three straight before narrowly going down to a patient Bulldogs outfit at Parramatta Stadium last Sunday. The signs are there for coach Hagan that combinations are just starting to gel, with the ball playing Eels forwards starting to create some second phase play for their talented outside supports.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Scott Prince vs Tim Smith
Prince has probably been the most consistent half in the competition this season, with the Titans play maker responsible for setting up the bulk of the Gold Coast’s attacking moves. Prince has relished the new leadership responsibilities bestowed on him, and his verbal clash with the Eels Tim Smith could well be the most entertaining battle of the afternoon.
Smith is just starting to run into the form that saw him receive the majority of rookie awards in season 2005, with his short attacking kicks for his rampant supports keeping many a defence honest. Much maligned before the season, Smith’s combination with new five-eight Brett Finch is just starting to come together. If Smith and Finch fire, than it could be a long afternoon for the Titans!
Anthony Laffranchi vs Nathan Hindmarsh
Off field distractions aside, Laffranchi has been in close to career best form in season ’07, with the workaholic backrower the Titans unsung hero. Currently fourth on the leading tacklers lists for the season, Laffranchi has been the Titans clean up man when his young team mates have tired. If Laffranchi can fire against the best backrower in the business (Hindmarsh) then he just may play himself into a Country / NSW jersey for the upcoming representative season.
With the return of brother Ian to the Eels club this season, we have witnessed the renaissance of one of the most feared running back rowers in Nathan Hindmarsh this season. Having endured a mountain of defence over the past two seasons, ‘Hindy’ has relished the chance to run a bit wider this season, with the tireless backrower the clubs leading try scorer with three for the season. With the Titans playing their smaller halves in defence out wide, then a rampaging Hindmarsh on the fringes may just add to that try tally this Sunday.
VERDICT:
Both of these teams are coming off last round losses, so they will definitely be fired up for this clash. The Eels seem to have a decide advantage in size across the park, with the Parramatta backline in particular looking extremely daunting. Frustration alone could see Grothe, Hayne and Tahu break their current try scoring drought, and with the Smith and Finch partnership staring to look lethal, than the Titans may be facing their first loss on ‘home’ soil.
Parramatta by 12
Gold Coast Titans -
Preston Campbell, Lelea Paea, Mat Rogers, Brett Delaney, Jake Webster, Matt Hilder, Scott Prince ©, Luke Swain, Mark Minichiello, Anthony Laffranchi, Brad Meyers, Clint Amos, Luke Bailey ©
Interchange - Nathan Friend, Kris Kahler, Gavin Cooper, Michael Hodgson, Josh Graham, Matt Petersen
Parramatta Eels -
Luke Burt, Jarryd Hayne, Ben Smith, Timana Tahu, Eric Grothe, Brett Finch, Tim Smith, Daniel Wagon, Ian Hindmarsh, Nathan Hindmarsh, Fuifui Moimoi, PJ Marsh, Nathan Cayless ©
Interchange - Josh Cordoba, Feleti Mateo, Blake Green, Aaron Cannings, Zeb Taia
Referee - Tony Archer
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