NRL 2018 season review: No excuses for underwhelming Titans

THE Gold Coast Titans ended the season just two wins ahead of last-placed Parramatta, total underachievement given the roster at their disposal in 2018.

• CAPTAIN’S KNOCK: James named player of the year

• SELF CARE: Arrow knows he must get stronger

THE Titans slumped to another lowly finish, only spending two weeks in the top eight all season and missing the finals for the seventh time in eight years. Gold Coast ended the season just two wins ahead of last-placed Parramatta, total underachievement given the roster at their disposal.

a bc d e s

WHERE THEY FINISHED

14th

WHAT WENT WRONG?

Once again, the Titans just weren’t good enough defensively throughout the season. They conceded 582 points, the third most in the competition, and had 30 points or more scored against them on eight occasions. Most of these points came on the edges as their outside backs failed to hold up their end. The Bryce Cartwright signing turned into a total disaster, and Ash Taylor had a year that was successful on the stat sheet but nowhere else. Taylor has the potential to be the best halfback in the NRL but the way he soured after missing out on selection for Origin III was disheartening.

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WHAT WENT RIGHT

Signing Jai Arrow was an excellent move for player and club, with the young middle forward turning into an Origin-calibre forward after just a handful of games. Along with Ryan James, Jarrod Wallace and the enormously impressive Moeaki Fotuaika, the club has the makings of an elite combination of middle forwards. Phillip Sami and Anthony Don both enjoyed strong seasons, scoring 29 tries between them, while Alex Brimson was promising at five-eighth but absolutely outstanding at fullback. With his speed, footwork and energy, Brimson has the ability to be a star for many years.

Jai Arrow was enormous this year for the Titans. (AAP Image/Darren Pateman)

STATS THAT SUM UP THE SEASON

One win over top eight teams all season.

KEY MAIN AREA THEY NEED TO IMPROVE

The defence on the edge needs to be better. Konrad Hurrell and Brenko Lee both offer a lot with ball in hand but they put themselves in the red far too often. Hurrell was hamstrung by constantly changing combinations and was low on confidence after some time in reserve grade and a ludicrous stint as an interchange backrower, but the point still stands. The problem runs deeper than these two though – Cartwright, Keegan Hipgrave, Kane Elgey and Taylor were all at fault at times during the season. Boosting the trust and physicality in the wider channels should be a priority for Garth Brennan.

Konrad Hurrell celebrates the win over the Broncos. (AAP Image/Darren England)

HIGHLIGHT OF THE SEASON

Beating Brisbane is always a big deal for the Titans, but downing them for the first time in four years in a match that doubled as the club’s first victory over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium since 2007? That’s as big as it gets. The 26-14 victory in Round 4 included a Sami hattrick and a try of the season contender to Anthony Don in one of Gold Coast’s best victories in recent years.

LOWLIGHT OF THE SEASON

The one-two punch of losing 34-0 to Brisbane at home in Round 17 and dropping a 20-12 loss to the Origin depleted Roosters seven days later put the final nail in Gold Coast’s finals coffin and ruined much of the progress the club seemed to have made in the weeks prior.

Ash Taylor had a poor back end to the season. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

BIG NAME RECRUITS

Shannon Boyd (Canberra), Tyrone Peachey (Penrith), Tyrone Roberts (Warrington)

BIG NAME LOSSES

Kane Elgey (Manly), Brendan Elliot (released)

2019: BEST POSSIBLE SCENARIO

Taylor gets back to his best, Brimson continues to develop as a star, the defense improves and the Titans run and gun their way back into the finals.

2019: WORST POSSIBLE SCENARIO

Nothing changes. The Titans are too good to bottom out and come last but not good enough to make the finals. Purgatory is hell.

COACH SAFETY RATING

6. Time is still on Garth Brennan’s side given he’s only one year into his first grade career. The decision he makes regarding Ryan James, who may be switched to the edge fulltime, will be a weighty one.

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Originally published as NRL 2018 season review: No excuses for underwhelming Titans