Gold Coast sink to a new low in 24-2 belting at the hands of Penrith

The Titans’ season has sunk to its lowest ebb, with the Gold Coast crashing to a 24-2 loss to Penrith that must put coach Garth Brennan’s future in doubt.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 12: Jarrod Wallace of the Titans is tackled during the round 17 NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the Gold Coast Titans at Panthers Stadium on July 12, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

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MAL Meninga’s mid-year report can’t come soon enough for the terrible Titans, after they failed to score a single try in their 24-2 loss to the Panthers.

The Gold Coast’s head of culture and performance is set to table his review on Monday, and it’s unlikely to contain much good news after they slumped to their equal worst win-rate in club history last night and their 12th loss this season.

With nothing to play for – now mathematically out of finals contention - the Titans should have been playing like the Harlem Globetrotters and attempting new plays and new moves.

But it was the same old Titans and the same old result in front of the 10,317 fans at Panthers Stadium.

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They were error-riddled (14) and poor in defence (36 missed tackles) and their lacklustre attitude was epitomised in the 48th minute when Tyrone Roberts kicked a much-needed 40/20 but there were no slaps on the back or a boost in confidence.

Every time they came close to scoring, they dropped the ball in a reflection of their terrible red zone attack so far this season.

On top of that, they also lacked any leadership and a lack of communication meant forwards Bryce Cartwright and Jarrod Wallace were left to kick the ball on the fifth tackle.

Their attitude leaves them in danger of falling to wooden-spooners and an admission that the club is in dire straits.

Apart from an early penalty goal the Titans did not trouble the scorers. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

Meninga’s review was supposed to look at everything from the players to the staff and the news doesn’t appear good for head coach Garth Brennan after suffering his 28th defeat in 40 games.

It wasn’t the most exciting of games as Penrith piled on three-tries-to-none but it has cemented the Titans to the bottom of the table and only above the cellar-dwellers Canterbury on points’ differential.

Just 48 hours after terrorising Queensland during the State of Origin, Penrith halfback James Maloney put on a masterclass to terrorise the Gold Coast.

Penrith were relentless in the opening minutes of the match but it was less because of the Titans’ defence and more because the Panthers couldn’t capitalise on their opportunities.

Gold Coast’s finals hopes are over. AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts.

Whether it’s due to fatigue or not, Gold Coast have conceded the most points in the 20 minutes before halftime and it was exactly the case last night when Penrith scored in the 29th and 37th minutes.

It was a complete repeat in the second half when they held out the home side until the 71st minute before they crossed for another two tries in the space of four minutes.

The only shining light for the Titans came in the form of Wallace who managed to run for 158m and make 28 tackles.

Brian To’o scored a spectacular double. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

A charge down in the first half epitomised his desperate effort in both attack and defence but his attitude was not shared by his fellow players.

It doesn’t get any easier for the Titans who host top-of-the-table Storm at Cbus Super Stadium next Saturday before heading up the M1 to play the Broncos in Round 19.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM PANTHERS-TITANS

1) The Titans need to find a consistent matchwinner after slumping to their equal worst win-rate in club history following their loss to Penrith. Talented halfback Tyrone Roberts has shown glimpses of it this season but they lack a player who is able to seal a game in the face of adversity.

2) At halftime, the Titans had 21 missed tackles in a reflection of their insipid defence. By the end of the game they had 36 missed tackles, five penalties and 14 errors in a sign of just how dire things are starting to become at the club.

Changes need to be made at the Gold Coast. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

3) Gold Coast hierarchy need to start saving up the cash to retain star forward Jai Arrow following news other NRL clubs are chasing the Maroons representative. The Gold Coast were lacking the momentum in the middle of the field and will be desperate to have Arrow back in the side.

4) Mal Meninga’s club review will need to confront some honest truths that the club is seriously struggling. They have won just four games from 17 matches this season and will need to change something to find more success.

5) After spending the week in Camp Maroon, AJ Brimson was brimming with confidence, running for 190m, making three tackle busts and one linebreak assist. However the youngster was caught out at times and a knock on from a James Maloney kick led to a Panthers try in the first half.

PENRITH 24 (D Edwards 2 B To’o 2 tries J Maloney 4 goals) bt GOLD COAST 2 (T Roberts goal) at Panthers Stadium. Referee: Henry Perenara, Jon Stone. Crowd: 10,317