5 things we learned from Gold Coast’s 32-20

THE Gold Coast have found a new, harder edge and the man responsible for it is young forward Jai Arrow. Here’s five things we learned from their 32-20 win over Manly.

GLADSTONE, AUSTRALIA — APRIL 08: Jai Arrow of the Titans celebrates his winning try during the round five NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Manly Sea Eagles at Marley Brown Oval on April 8, 2018 in Gladstone, Australia. (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)

THE Gold Coast have found a new, harder edge and the man responsible for it is young forward Jai Arrow.

Here’s five things we learned from their 32-20 win over Manly.

1) The Titans have found a harder edge.

Coach Garth Brennan has implemented a new defensive pattern that demands his middle forwards work hard and his big men are getting with the program.

Their kick-chase was enthusiastic.

The Titans’ defence has improved markedly since their 54-8 horror show against the Dragons a fortnight ago.

They look hungry again.

The Titans have rediscovered their hunger.

2) Ashley Taylor just edged out Daly Cherry-Evans in the battle of the Queensland Origin hopefuls.

DCE landed a telling blow when he intercepted Taylor’s cut-out pass and raced 90 metres for the 55th-minute try that sparked Manly’s fightback.

But Taylor hit back with a one-two punch, setting up two tries in the final five minutes to seal victory.

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3) Jai Arrow shapes as the Titans’ best ironman since Ashley Harrison.

The former Bronco had a barnstorming game, scoring two tries, amassing 143 metres from 17 runs and making 20 tackles.

Oh, and Arrow produced four tackle busts, two line breaks and two offloads. Magnificent.

The Broncos should give themselves an uppercut for letting him go.

Arrow had his best game in the NRL.

4) Titans coach Brennan has to keep Bryce Cartwright on the edges.

Cartwright has been used in the middle in the opening month but he is much more dangerous skirting out wide.

The evidence came in the 26th minute when he slipped a clever offload for Jai Arrow’s try. He even answered an SOS at centre when Dale Copley left the field with concussion.

5) Jarrod Wallace is doing everything possible to retain his Queensland Origin jumper.

With Cowboys warhorse Matt Scott back in the frame, Wallace is turning up the heat.

The Titans prop ran for 141 metres and deserved his early barnstorming try which got the Coast rolling.