Titans’ Pre-Season Dominance Signals New Era
The Gold Coast Titans have wrapped up an impressive pre-season campaign, culminating in a dominant 42-12 victory over the Melbourne Storm. While this commanding performance wasn’t quite enough to clinch the pre-season challenge title – falling just five offloads shy of the Parramatta Eels – it has undeniably shifted perceptions and signalled a potential turning point for the club.
The pre-season challenge, designed to foster competitive spirit and reward attacking flair, is determined by a combination of wins and bonus points. These bonus points are awarded for achieving specific attacking milestones: accumulating 10 or more offloads, securing five or more line breaks, or crossing the try line five or more times in a match. The Titans demonstrated their attacking prowess throughout the pre-season, accumulating enough points to be serious contenders.
The Titans kicked off their pre-season challenge with a solid 24-12 win against the Dolphins. This early success set the tone for what was to come. Their momentum continued in their final hit-out against the formidable Melbourne Storm.
The match, held at Sunshine Coast Stadium, saw the Titans draw first blood through Beau Fermor. However, the Storm responded swiftly, with Hugo Peel and Sualauvi Faalogo adding tries to their tally. Despite the Storm’s early surge, the Titans showcased their resilience. Phillip Sami and Arama Hau crossed the whitewash, allowing the Titans to regain the lead heading into halftime.
The second half belonged entirely to the Gold Coast. The new era under coach Josh Hannay truly began to take shape as the Storm’s attack faltered, failing to register another try for the remainder of the match. The Titans, on the other hand, went on a scoring spree. Sialetili Faeamani, Chris Randall, and Jensen Taumoepeau all added their names to the scoresheet. The icing on the cake came with a late double from Jaylan De Groot, sealing the emphatic 42-12 victory.
The stark contrast in performance was evident post-match. Storm coach Craig Bellamy, a figure renowned for his demanding standards, was visibly displeased, his gaze fixed in the distance from the coaching box.
Broadcaster Braith Anasta acknowledged the significant shift in how the Titans are now viewed. “If you look at their squad compared to others heading into this year, you’d probably be concerned and think they’re really no chance of making the top eight,” he commented on Fox League. “But after those two wins and looking at the immediate impact Josh Hannay has had on the club … they’ve been impressive.”
This sentiment highlights the transformative effect of the new coaching regime and the team’s pre-season performances. The Titans have moved from being perceived as outsiders to genuine contenders, at least in the eyes of seasoned rugby league commentators.
The pre-season challenge concludes with one final fixture: South Sydney taking on Manly. However, the Titans’ strong showing has already set a high bar and generated considerable excitement among their fanbase, suggesting that the 2024 NRL season could be a memorable one for the Gold Coast club. Their ability to consistently score points and maintain defensive pressure against a top-tier opponent like the Storm is a testament to the hard work and strategic direction implemented during the off-season. The focus now shifts to translating this pre-season form into consistent results when the premiership season officially kicks off.
