Titans v Knights: Kelly, Best make their returns
If there's a team that's going to have a buzz around them heading into 2021, it's the Titans.
A bright finish to 2020 and a host of big-name arrivals will have coach Justin Holbrook and his players feeling good about themselves.
But before thoughts turn to next year they will want to finish 2020 with another win which would equal the club record of five in a row.
The Knights - a team playing for a home final - will know they need to be on their game to get the victory.
Match: Titans v Knights
Round 20 -
home Team
Titans
9th Position
away Team
Knights
7th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
The rundown
Team news
Titans: The Titans are 1-17. Brian Kelly is set to return from an ankle injury at centre with Treymain Spry shifting to wing and Corey Thompson in the reserves following a hamstring complaint. Hooker Mitch Rein (head knock) and forward Jai Arrow (groin) are named and expected to play.
Nathan Peats (calf) was named among the reserves but cut from the squad 24 hours before kick-off along with Thompson.
Darius Farmer and Phillip Sami were the last two players cut an hour before kick-off.
The Titans are aiming to equal a club-record five consecutive wins.
Knights: The Knights are 1-17. Coach Adam O'Brien has confirmed centre Bradman Best will return from an ankle injury after seven weeks out.
"We've missed Bradman. He certainly gives the team some confidence when you've got him out wide," O'Brien said. "As the boys call him, he's a beast. [We're] really fortunate. He's worked really hard to get back and I'm looking forward to seeing him perform."
Winger Edrick Lee will also return after missing last week for personal reasons, while Kurt Mann is back from suspension at hooker, bumping Chris Randall to the pine and Phoenix Crossland out.
Sione Mata'utia will start in the back row with Lachlan Fitzgibbon (leg) injured and Brodie Jones called up to the interchange. Mann has scored six tries in six games against the Titans.
Starford To'a and Jirah Momoisea were omitted from the reserves 24 hours before kick-off. Josh King and Gehamat Shibasaki were cut an hour before kick-off.
Match: Titans v Knights
Round 20 -
home Team
Titans
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Titans is number 1 AJ BrimsonFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Titans is number 2 Anthony DonWinger for Knights is number 2 Edrick Lee
-
Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian KellyCentre for Knights is number 3 Enari Tuala
-
Centre for Titans is number 4 Young TonumaipeaCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
-
Winger for Titans is number 5 Treymain SpryWinger for Knights is number 5 Hymel Hunt
-
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Ashley TaylorFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Mason Lino
-
Halfback for Titans is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Knights is number 7 Mitchell Pearce
Forwards
-
Prop for Titans is number 8 Jarrod WallaceProp for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
-
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Mitch ReinHooker for Knights is number 9 Kurt Mann
-
Prop for Titans is number 10 Moeaki FotuaikaProp for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Kevin Proctor2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Sione Mata'utia
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Sam Stone2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Aidan Guerra
-
Lock for Titans is number 13 Tyrone PeacheyLock for Knights is number 13 Mitchell Barnett
Interchange
-
Interchange for Titans is number 14 Tanah BoydInterchange for Knights is number 14 Chris Randall
-
Interchange for Titans is number 15 Sam LisoneInterchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
-
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Jai ArrowInterchange for Knights is number 16 Herman Ese'ese
-
Interchange for Titans is number 17 Jai WhitbreadInterchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell
Last updated:
Key match-up
Moeaki Fotuaika v David Klemmer. "Big Mo" has been one of the most improved players in the NRL this year. He has reached a level of consistency that all coaches want from the front-rowers. A meeting with the NSW and Australia regular will provide another opportunity for him to prove his worth
Stat attack
For all the great things the Titans have done of late, there are still a couple of areas in which they need to improve. They have made more errors and missed more tackles than any other side in the competition.
