Titans Showcase New-Look Spine and Defence in Dominant Pre-Season Victory
The Gold Coast Titans have sent a strong message to the rest of the NRL with a commanding 42-12 pre-season victory over the Melbourne Storm. Under the guidance of coach Josh Hannay, the Titans displayed a potent new-look spine and a steely defence that has quickly become a hallmark of their campaign.
The clash, held at Sunshine Coast Stadium, also provided a promising glimpse into the Melbourne Storm’s future, particularly with the impressive performance of young fullback Sua Faalogo. While Faalogo was forced off early in the second half with a minor injury, it’s understood not to be serious and won’t affect his availability for round one.
Titans’ Halves Dominate Play
A key factor in the Titans’ success was the superb control and execution from their halves pairing, AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell. Both demonstrated slick passing and game management throughout the Pre-Season Challenge fixture.
AJ Brimson’s Move to Five-Eighth: Brimson’s permanent switch to the No.6 jersey appears to be a masterstroke. His ability to deliver flat, incisive passes was on full display when he put storming second-rower Beau Fermor over for the opening try of the match.
* Jayden Campbell’s Contribution: Campbell, who played the first half, mirrored Brimson’s precision with a perfectly timed pass that sent giant forward Arama Hau crashing over for a try just before the halftime break.
Defence: A Renewed Focus
The Titans’ defensive prowess has been a standout feature in their opening trial matches, and this was no different against the Storm. This steely resolve is a direct response to coach Hannay’s directive to improve the team’s defence, an area that saw them finish 16th last season. The players have clearly embraced this challenge, delivering strong defensive performances in wins against both the Dolphins and last year’s grand finalists, the Storm.
The effectiveness of their defence was exemplified when Titans forward Klese Haas applied significant pressure, dislodging the ball from Melbourne’s Will Warbrick, which ultimately led to a try for Titans winger Phil Sami.
Fullback Showdown: A Glimpse of the Future
The battle of the fullbacks between the Titans’ Keano Kini and the Storm’s Sua Faalogo offered a tantalising preview of two of the NRL’s most exciting young custodians. Kini, who was unfortunately hampered by injuries limiting him to just six NRL games last year, showed flashes of brilliance. His replacement, Jaylan De Groot, also made a significant impact, crossing for two tries in the second half.
Keano Kini’s Impact: Kini was a pocket rocket at the back for the Titans, amassing 118 metres from 14 busy runs before being substituted at halftime.
* Sua Faalogo’s Promise: Faalogo is poised to inherit the crucial fullback role for the Storm, a position previously held by the 2020 Clive Churchill Medal winner, Ryan Papenhuyzen, who is currently taking a break from the game. Faalogo consistently had the crowd on their feet with his dynamic play. He chimed into the backline effectively, setting up the Storm’s opening try for winger Hugo Peel. He also contributed to the Storm’s second try, following a masterful across-the-body kick from Cameron Munster.
Emerging Talent and Coach’s Perspective
The Titans also unearthed an exciting prospect in winger Sialetili Faemani, who not only scored a try but also made several powerful, game-breaking runs.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy, who considered a move to the Titans in the pre-season before recommitting to the Storm, will undoubtedly have areas to address following this trial. However, Bellamy is renowned for his ability to use pre-season losses as a springboard for regular-season success, a testament to his deep understanding of the game and his team’s capabilities. The Titans’ dominant performance, however, suggests they are building significant momentum heading into the new season.
