NRL 2021: Gold Coast Titans v North Queensland Cowboys, round 21 preview

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sun 8 Aug 2021, 03:12 PM

A stirring 28-point win over the Bulldogs has propelled the Titans from 11th spot into the top eight - and they have every intention of staying there.

They remain Queensland's only hope of having a team in the 2021 finals race but that's not going to draw any empathy from the Cowboys in this intrastate derby.

Todd Payten's men are facing an eighth straight defeat if they cannot lift against their southern cousins.

The last three losses haven't been savage - 16 points to the Roosters, four to the Storm and 19 to the Broncos. But it's been enough to snuff out their hopes of a top-eight finish.

Meanwhile, the Titans missed the finals by one spot in 2020. Their last campaign was back in 2016 and they're not willing to let 2021 get away from them.

Round 21 - Round 21 - Sunday 8 Aug

Full Time

Titans

Cowboys

Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Highlights Latest

The rundown

Team news

Titans: In a repeat of previous weeks, the Titans announced an hour before kick-off that Beau Fermor will start the match and David Fifita will be on the interchange bench.

Apart from that, the Titans are 1-17 with Esan Marsters the 18th man.

Jamal Fogarty (finger) was a chance of returning will now look at a round 22 return.

Erin Clark (elbow) is good to go and Patrick Herbert returns from suspension.

Sam McIntyre and Anthony Don dropped off the reserves list 24 hours before kick-off.

The Titans are aiming for two wins in a season against the Cowboys for the first time since 2012.

Cowboys: North Queensland will start 1-17 with Daejarn Asi the 18th man.

Valentine Holmes (shoulder) returns at fullback and coach Todd Payten said the Maroons winger will play through the pain barrier for the remainder of the year.

With winger Kane Bradley (fractured hand) set to miss the remainder of the season Ben Hampton goes from the interchange to the centres and Murray Taulagi shifts to the wing.

Jason Taumalolo shifts to the second row in a tactical decision Payten hopes creates more space.

Francis Molo and Peter Hola were omitted from the extended bench on Saturday.

Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored five tries in his past six games.

Round 21 - Round 21 - Sunday 8 Aug

Full Time

Titans

Cowboys

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Titans is number 1 AJ Brimson

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Valentine Holmes
Winger for Titans is number 2 Greg Marzhew

Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly

Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Connelly Lemuelu
Centre for Titans is number 4 Patrick Herbert

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Ben Hampton
Winger for Titans is number 5 Corey Thompson

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Ashley Taylor

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Scott Drinkwater
Halfback for Titans is number 7 Toby Sexton

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom Dearden

Forwards

Prop for Titans is number 8 Jarrod Wallace

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Tom Gilbert
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Mitch Rein

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
Prop for Titans is number 10 Moeaki Fotuaika

Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jordan McLean
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Kevin Proctor

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Jason Taumalolo
2nd Row for Titans is number 16 Beau Fermor

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Heilum Luki
Lock for Titans is number 13 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Coen Hess

Interchange

Interchange for Titans is number 12 David Fifita

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Mitchell Dunn
Interchange for Titans is number 14 Erin Clark

Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Ben Condon
Interchange for Titans is number 15 Sam Lisone

Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Lachlan Burr
Interchange for Titans is number 17 Jaimin Jolliffe

Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Jake Granville

Reserves

Reserve for Titans is number 18 Esan Marsters

Reserve for Cowboys is number 19 Daejarn Asi

Match Officials

Referee: Ben Cummins
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:26:46 PM

Key match-up

Moeaki Fotuaika v Jordan McLean: Fotuaika can now count himself among the game's best props. If the Cowboys are to end their losing streak, McLean needs to take on the Titans forward leader. If not the likes of David Fifita and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui will come into their own.

Stat attack

The Cowboys’ defence has been one of the main reasons for their losing record this year. They’ve missed 35.5 tackles per game, only Cronulla have a worse record, and North Queensland racked up 41 in last week’s loss to Brisbane.

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