Inspired Titans ‘journey’ continues with Dragons win
Jack Brady |
The makings were all there for another devastating Gold Coast loss, but coach Josh Hannay has credited the Titans’ ongoing evolution for their slashing 38-18 win over St George Illawarra.
With the Dragons celebrating co-captain Clint Gutherson’s 250th NRL game on Sunday afternoon, the permanent signing of coach Dean Young and Old Boys’ Day to boot, the visitors had to overcome an early deficit to secure consecutive wins for the first time in the Hannay era.
Gold Coast’s 20-point win allowed them to leapfrog three other clubs, and out of the competition’s bottom four for the first time since their round-eight bye, and all but confirmed the Dragons’ maiden wooden spoon.
“When you’re coming into an environment like this, it felt like we were walking into a trap with them having so much to play for, so I just loved how we went about it,” Hannay said.
“We have had some tight losses and haven’t had a lot of reward at different times. There have been a few instances where we have had a level game at halftime and we’d flinch in the second half. I feel like this group, little by little, are growing.
“We’re fully aware of where we’re at, the journey we’re on and that there’s going to be some hard lessons. They have had to learn a lot on the run these guys and they’re growing exponentially.”
A dazzling display from Jayden Campbell inspired the Gold Coast’s big win.
The five-eighth was chief orchestrator of the Titans’ slashing left edge attack, producing three try assists in a 15-minute first-half period before putting the game out of reach with a try of his own midway through the second half.
The move to No.6 continues to pay dividends for Campbell and the Titans, as his rookie halves partner Zane Harrison continues to prove he belongs in the top grade.
Harrison’s kicking game has allowed livewire Campbell to play his natural game in recent months, with his talents on full show at Kogarah.
“In a short amount of time, the combination they have built has been massive,” Gold Coast captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui said.
“We have an experienced pack being told what to do by a young spine, including Keano (fullback Kini) and Olly (hooker Oliver Pascoe) up the middle, has been so good and refreshing.
“What Zane, and obviously JC (Campbell), have brought to this team and achieved by taking their opportunities with two hands is what we’re looking to do each week.”
Gold Coast responded to an early Tyrell Sloan try almost immediately when a 50-metre long-range play was capped off by Dragons-bound winger Phil Sami. An almost identical try followed four minutes later when Campbell laid one on for centre Jaylen De Groot.
De Groot’s second followed in the 26th minute when Campbell and the Titans made short work of the Dragons’ right edge defence yet again.
A Kyle Flangan four-pointer made it interesting for the Red V just before halftime, but two Campbell penalty goals and a try to Pascoe pushed Gold Coast further ahead after the break.
Campbell confirmed the result and a memorable performance by strolling over untouched midway through the second half.
AAP