Titans back in the eight
Titans continue stellar run as Sea Eagles concede three tries in 20 minutes.
PT1M30S 620 349If a tree falls in the forest and nobody hears a peep, did it really happen? You could ask the same question about pre-Origin, split-round, Monday night football on the Gold Coast. Trent Barrett would have been hoping it was a figment of his cruel imagination.
Alas, it was all painfully true. When an opposing prop kicks things off by scoring his first try in two years, that may be an indication you are in for a long evening, in the context of an even longer season.
Try time: Josh Hoffman of the Titans scores out wide in a good night for the hosts.
What began with Luke Douglas breaking a fair spell (round 13, 2014, if you don't mind) ended up with a 30-10 victory by the Titans over Manly in a match that might have officially condemned the Sea Eagles to also-rans in the 2016 competition.
In front of a school-night crowd of 8278, which created something more like background noise instead of a surging roar, the Titans amassed win number seven for the year and continued their steady creep up the ladder.
Can a team many picked to run dead last end up playing in the finals? Why not? Maybe that's less of a surprise than a Manly side many felt could press for the top half-dozen now suffering their sixth defeat in as many outings, with little hope of a fast turnaround in their fortunes.
Sorry state: The Sea Eagles look on after the Titans score yet again. Photo: Matt Roberts
Smashed by injury, they have won just four of their 14 games and any thoughts of the post-season will start to evaporate exceedingly quickly unless they begin to string wins together on the homeward run. The clock has started to tick ever louder at Brookvale.
It was a flawless night for rugby league at Robina but it won't come as a huge shock that this game never quite rose to any lofty heights. Fans have almost come to accept the kind of fare offered up at this time of the season and for the Titans, a win is a win is a win.
Both teams had some familiar faces missing, with Manly winning that contest at least. Greg Bird (NSW) was gone for the home side, while Dylan Walker (NSW) and Nate Myles (injured) were among the list of big names missing for Manly.
Creative intent: Nathan Peats creates space for the Titans. Photo: Matt Roberts
The Sea Eagles would suffer a huge blow before the match with the late withdrawal of centre and captain Jamie Lyon (hamstring), while key playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans (ankle) could return next week if he continues to recover.
That hurts a side already down on confidence and experience and the Titans wasted little time in asserting their authority, pouring on three tries in eight minutes to set up a healthy lead. Douglas would start the procession (12th minute), with Anthony Don (17) and Josh Hoffman (20) hot on his heels.
Jorge Taufua gave Manly some hope in the 29th minute before in-form Titan Ryan James notched up another major for the big men, crossing just two minutes after the resumption of play in the second half.
Brayden Wiliame made things semi-interesting when he went over in the corner with 25 minutes to go, reducing the gap to 24-10. But when Nene Macdonald touched down with seven minutes to play, any hope was snuffed out in a heartbeat.
Along with the Rabbitohs and Roosters, a trio of Sydney's powerhouse clubs now occupy three of the bottom four spots on the ladder. Next for Manly? The Cowboys. In Townsville. Gulp.
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