Titans comeback win gives Foran, Hasler super farewell
Joel Gould |
Gold Coast have conjured a stunning comeback to give Kieran Foran and Des Hasler the perfect farewell in a 36-28 win over Wests Tigers.
The Titans trailed 28-12 at halftime at Robina but veteran Foran, in his 318th and final game before retirement, was magnificent to give his beloved coach Hasler an outgoing victory.
“It was pretty quiet in the sheds at halftime but I could just sense the boys weren’t going to give up. What a bunch of blokes,” Foran told Fox League.
“The body needs a break. I’ve just about juiced the tank for all it has got in it but I’ve really enjoyed the fight this year. It’s been a disappointing season in terms of results but there has been some good growth.”
Saturday’s win took Gold Coast off the bottom of the ladder and they will avoid the wooden spoon if Parramatta beat Newcastle on Sunday.
The Tigers appeared in control after 40 minutes.
Titans half Jayden Campbell then scored after halftime with a typically opportunist effort. The star playmaker set up the next with a bomb and winger Brian Kelly finished it off.
The stadium erupted two minutes later when Kelly roared down the left touchline and put second-rower Beau Fermor over for a stunning 30-28 lead.
AJ Brimson, switched to the centres, sliced through for a third try in eight minutes and it was all over.
Hasler gave Queensland U19s sensation Cooper Bai his debut and the young forward made a barnstorming run with his first touch off the bench and then had a try disallowed. The son of Melbourne Storm legend Marcus Bai looks set for a long career.
Former Wallabies playmaker Carter Gordon made his Titans debut in the centres and had a tough initiation. His strength with the ball in hand was clear but he will take time to adjust to defending as a centre in the NRL.
The Tigers took the lead through the athleticism and skill of fullback Jahream Bula, who leapt high to snaffle a Jarome Luai bomb.
Winger Heamasi Makasini, just 18 and on debut, finished with aplomb in the corner.
It was a wonderful moment for the young Tigers pathway graduate who will go back to school on Monday
Foran was clearly determined to finish his career with an elite display. He was heavily involved from the start with a line break and through his passing game.
It was a Foran pass to Brimson that was finished off with a scheming run.
Brimson’s switch to centre allowed livewire Keano Kini to return to his favoured fullback position. Kini was a handful with his elusive running.
Foran and Kini combined to put Kelly over in the corner.
Tigers bench prop Royce Hunt scored twice in the space of four minutes.
Halves Jarome Luai and Latu Fainu were superb with the latter darting over on the cusp of halftime for a 28-12 lead.
Fainu left the field in the second half with a shoulder injury as the Titans stormed home.
“It’s disappointing.We ran out of gas today,” Tigers coach Benji Marshall said.
“That’s on me. We’ve improved a lot this year but there a still a way to go.”
The Tigers will finish the season 12th or 13th after claiming the wooden spoon last year.
AAP
