LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The Gold Coast Titans faced a tough 38-16 loss to the St George Illawarra Dragons at WIN Stadium.
Despite a tight start, three tries just before half-time secured victory for the home side.
The key talking points from the match include David Fifita's impressive performance after off-season surgery.
His increased minutes and involvement in the first five matches showed signs of his return to top form.
Fifita set up the Titans' first try with a run and offload for Brian Kelly, and was instrumental in the second try by easily evading defenders.
This display highlighted his impact on the team and his importance in their attacking plays.
Additionally, the Titans were hurt by the Dragons' offloads throughout the match.
The inability to contain these offloads allowed the home side to gain momentum and capitalise on scoring opportunities.
The Dragons' effective offloading game put pressure on the Titans' defense and contributed to their eventual defeat.
This aspect of the game emphasized the importance of defensive awareness and tackling for the Titans moving forward.
Furthermore, the match tested the depth of the Titans' squad as they faced a strong Dragons team.
The Titans had to rely on their reserves and younger players to step up and make an impact.
This experience provided valuable opportunities for the depth players to gain valuable game time and experience at the top level.
Despite the loss, the match served as a learning experience for the Titans' squad as they continue to build cohesion and improve their overall performance.
Overall, the match highlighted the impact of Fifita's performance, the challenges posed by the Dragons' offloading game, and the test of the Titans' squad depth.
These key points will be crucial for the Titans to address as they work towards future success in the competition.