Sharks aiming to bite back on the Gold Coast

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Sat 21 May 2022, 03:57 PM

The Sharks will aim to put a disappointing result in last weekend’s Magic Round behind them when they travel to the Gold Coast to tackle the Titans tomorrow afternoon.

Beaten by the Raiders, where coach Craig Fitzgibbon admits his team weren’t able produce their best, the Sharks will be looking to bounce back and consolidate their position inside the top eight.

“We didn’t get our footy on and Canberra were great. They frustrated us and defended us really well,” Fitzgibbon said.

As for the Titans this week, Fitzgibbon is aware of the challenge his team faces against an opponent with a spring in their step after recording their first win in six matches last weekend.

“To win in the fashion they did, they hung in, it was a really strong performance to get that done at the back of the game and I thought going back a fortnight they put in a strong performance against Penrith as well,” Fitzgibbon said of the Titans.

“They’re a quality team, they’ve got some strong players in the their team and we know it’s a difficult challenge but we’re looking forward to it. We know we’ve got to improve on our performance from last week.”

With team changes forced by injury and suspension, Fitzgibbon welcomes skipper Wade Graham back into his starting side for what will be his third game of the 2022 season, while debutant Locky Miller takes over at fullback from the suspended Will Kennedy, with Nicho Hynes shifting back into the halves.

A rugby sevens international, Fitzgibbon has every confidence in Miller being able to do the job for his team in his first game in the top grade.

“He’s a good story for us. He had a rugby league background (before switching to rugby), we took a chance, took a risk on him, and he’s been fantastic for Newtown. His speed and footwork are exciting,” Fitzgibbon said.

“We thought he earnt the right (to play in the NRL) through his play for Newtown and through his training.”

While the Sharks had struggled for a win in recent seasons against last week’s opponent in the Raiders, the opposite is the case when taking on the Gold Coast. The Sharks have won the past six against the Titans, on the last three occasions by 12 points or more.

In the overall head-to-head numbers, in the 23 matches played the Sharks have won 14, the Titans 8, with one game drawn.

The teams last met in Coffs Harbour in Round 12 last year, Cronulla winning 38-10 with Ronaldo Mulitalo crossing for a try-scoring double.

This is the ninth clash between these teams at the Titans home in Robina, with the Sharks winning the past two, and four of the eight games played.

Gold Coast come into the match on the back of a 20-16 golden point win over the Dragons.

In team news, the Sharks have named the 17 players as selected on Tuesday, with youngster Kade Dykes and rangy front rower Tom Hazleton retained in the 19-man squad. The Sharks will finalise their 17 one hour before tomorrow’s 4.05pm kick off.

See the two 19-man squad lists below.

Round 11 - Round 11 - Sunday 22 May

Full Time

Titans

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Titans is number 1 Jayden Campbell

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Lachlan Miller
Winger for Titans is number 2 Corey Thompson

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Titans is number 3 Phillip Sami

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Connor Tracey
Centre for Titans is number 4 Esan Marsters

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
Winger for Titans is number 5 Jamayne Isaako

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 AJ Brimson

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan
Halfback for Titans is number 7 Toby Sexton

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Erin Clark

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Titans is number 10 Jarrod Wallace

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Royce Hunt
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Isaac Liu

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Wade Graham
Lock for Titans is number 13 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Titans is number 14 Tanah Boyd

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Aiden Tolman
Interchange for Titans is number 15 Sam Lisone

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Braydon Trindall
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Herman Ese'ese

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Teig Wilton
Interchange for Titans is number 17 Sam McIntyre

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Andrew Fifita