Fans warming to NRL battlers Gold Coast Titans

THERE’S something about a battler doing his best that turns rugby league fans on. And it’s the reason why the Gold Coast Titans’ admirers are growing by the week.

Ash Taylor. Picture: Jerad Williams

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THERE’S something about a battler doing his best that turns rugby league fans on.

And it’s the reason why the Gold Coast Titans’ admirers are growing by the week – even as the team languishes near the bottom of the ladder.

Outside Sharks fans, there would barely have been a rugby league supporter who did not enjoy the Titans’ shock win over the premiers on Saturday.

The Titans have gone financially bust in recent seasons, losing their Centre of Excellence and training at the Burleigh Bears ground before moving into their new residence at Parkwood.

Their injury crisis was so bad earlier this season it seemed their list of injured players was as long as their fit ones.

Titan Anthony Don battles against the Sharks defence. Picture: AAP

But people enjoy how they roll up their sleeves and have a crack each week, no matter who is playing and who their opposition is.

The Titans have a smallish supporter base and it’s not as if they are getting a devout cult following from outside their walls.

There’s just a quiet, sincere recognition from within the rugby league community that they are a “have-a-go’’ football team and that’s a sweet thing when you are trying to build a culture.

The Titans’ praise often comes in small spoonfuls from commentators who might quip during play “they haven’t won many games but they try hard’’.

It sounds condescending but it is the truth.

Through all their setbacks this season, they have been an easy team to watch, scoring 172 points from eight games which is more than the Sharks, Broncos and Cowboys.

Titans young gun Ash Taylor. Picture: Jerad Williams

With Tyrone Roberts’ conjuring skills, Anthony Don’s captivating runs out wide and developing halves Ash Taylor and Kane Elgey, there is always someone or something to catch your eye, and Jarryd Hayne’s return adds the stardust.

A leaky defence has cost them but bookmakers have also given them a quiet nod of approval.

Despite being down among the (near) dead men in 14th spot on the ladder, they are rated only $34 chances to win the premiership.

Souths, who are a win above them, are $81 and the Sea Eagles are only marginally shorter ($26) despite having two more wins.

That’s the bookies saying “you probably won’t win it this season but you are far from terrible’’.

Actually they are better than that. With a near full roster available on Saturday, their win was well earnt. You don’t fluke away wins against the Sharks.

The challenge for the Titans is now to raise their eyes.

There is no team in the competition which they should be fearful of. Not with the Dragons on top of the ladder.