5 things we learned from Gold Coast’s 17-16 golden point loss to Penrith

THE Titans are in real danger of finishing with the wooden spoon after crashing to a 17-16 loss to Penrith in golden point. Here’s five things we learned from the crushing defeat.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA — AUGUST 11: Jack Hetherington of the Panthers reacts after a penalty during the round 22 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Penrith Panthers at Cbus Super Stadium on August 11, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

THE Titans are in real danger of finishing with the wooden spoon after crashing to a 17-16 loss to Penrith in golden point.

Here’s five things we learned from the crushing defeat.

REPORT: Titans go down in extra time

1) THE Titans are in danger of slipping to the bottom of the ladder before the season is over. They have won just one game from their last six rounds and yesterday they showed they cannot handle the pressure of a close match.

They looked like they were about to run away with the game but let it all slip in the final five minutes, with Nathan Cleary the golden point hero for Penrith.

Cleary broke Gold Coast hearts. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

2) DESPITE the loss, Titans fans have been given a taste of what they might be able to expect next year after AJ Brimson starred in the fullback role. Michael Gordon was ruled out with a dislocated wrist, opening the door for Brimson to shine at the back.

And the young talent was one of the Gold Coast’s best, mostly for his defence. Brimson pulled off a number of try-saving tackles yesterday, with the highlight coming in the 49th minute when he put a massive hit on Waqa Blake to take him over the sideline.

Brimson was Gold Coast’s best. AAP Image/Darren Pateman.

3) THE Titans were let down through their discipline yesterday. They made 14 errors across the afternoon and their defence fell apart in the final five minutes.

Ash Taylor had six missed tackles while a returned Kane Elgey had five. It’s not good enough from a team that had a 10 point lead in the 75th minute.

4) KANE Elgey could spend the last few games of 2018 back in first grade. With Gordon in doubt for the remainder of the year, Elgey returned to the NRL side to play alongside Taylor in the halves.

While he was not spectacular, he could see out the season with the NRL side.

Kane Elgey could end the season in first grade. Picture: Zak Simmonds

5) THE coaching distractions and loss of Anthony Griffin looked like it was going to be too much for the Panthers but Nathan Cleary was the saviour to keep Penrith’s top four hopes alive and to put a miserable week behind them.

The relief as he kicked the field goal was evident.

Originally published as 5 things we learned from Gold Coast’s 17-16 golden point loss to Penrith