A spirited fightback underlined the start of the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans’ 2009 campaign in a 34-20 win over Newcastle at Skilled Park today.
The Titans’ class of 2009 got off to an uncharacteristically slow start to the match as the Knights, who were helped by a 7-3 penalty count early on, shot out of the blocks to a 14-nil lead.
However, a 28-point surge either side of halftime helped the Titans take control of the game and register their first competition points of the season in front of a crowd of 16,203.
Exciting new Titans recruit William Zillman put the result beyond doubt nine minutes from full-time with an 80m try on debut for the club, in what marked his official comeback from a knee reconstruction.
Hooker Nathan Friend was one of the Titans’ best and veteran forward Brad Meyers wound back the clock with a bullocking display.
Jetstar Titans coach John Cartwright said his side’s comeback was the feature of the first-up performance.
“That was the most pleasing aspect, I don’t think we’ve ever come from behind to that degree – especially in those conditions,’’ said Cartwright.
“They were oppressive conditions and you would have liked to have had that 14-nil lead 30 minutes into the game.’’
The Titans have been renowned for their starts to matches but co-captain Scott Prince said the result proved his side could come from behind to win when things weren’t going their way.
“We touched on about grinding wins away and we certainly didn’t want that scenario first-up but it panned out that way,’’ said Prince.
“It was just set up for us to prove to ourselves and everyone that we can comeback and win.’’
The Knights got out to an early 6-nil lead after winger Akuila Uate barged his way over the try line in the left corner in the 8th minute
Halfback Jarrod Mullen then followed his lead in the 22nd minute when he pushed through tackles from several Titans to score and give the Knights a 12-nil advantage.
A string of penalties to the visitors gave the Knights a further two points through a Kurt Gidley penalty goal but with the scoreboard beginning to look ominous for the home side, the Titans then finally clicked into gear.
Mat Rogers supported a bust from hooker Nathan Friend to score in the 31st minute and then on the back of that utility Luke O’Dwyer crossed in the left corner to get the Titans within striking distance.
Prince added the extras from the sideline to reduce the lead to 14-12 in the Knights favour with four minutes left in the first half.
The Titans then hit the lead for the first time just before halftime through a freakish try to Friend after winger Esi Tonga was able to save a Rogers grubber kick from going dead in-goal and batted it back into the field of play for his No.9.
Prince missed the sideline conversion but the Titans still headed into the sheds with a 16-14 advantage at halftime.
The Titans’ point scoring continued minutes after the break, with Prince bamboozling the Knights defence with a dummy to score to the right of the posts. He then added the extras for a 22-14 lead.
The Knights hit back though when former Titan Matt Hilder scored a questionable try in the left corner after receiving a pass from Adam MacDougall, who looked to have been wrapped up and held by several Titans defenders.
Backrower Meyers then produced a bullocking 30m run to score and give the Titans further breathing space at 28-20 before Zillman sealed the match with an 80m try nine minutes from full-time after charging onto an Esi Tonga pass.
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