Gold Coast Titans forward Will Matthews calls for defensive mindset like the Storm and Roosters

Titans veteran Will Matthews has called for a team-wide change in mindset as they look to salvage something from a disappointing 2019 NRL campaign.

TITANS veteran Will Matthews has called for a team-wide change in mindset as they look to salvage something from a disappointing 2019 NRL campaign.

Gold Coast were easily beaten 30-12 at Cbus Super Stadium by Manly on Saturday, with their defence proving a major concern against an at times rampant Sea Eagles side.

Matthews believes it’s time to mimic the approach of the Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters, who are consistently the two leading teams in the competition.

“I think we have just got to have a better defensive mindset,” he said.

“If we get that right, we can score points, we all know that. If we get our defence right, that’s what wins you games, that’s what wins you comps.

“If you look at the top two teams, the Roosters and the Storm, they just defend their way to victories. It’s the only way you can do it.

Will Matthews at Titans training last week. Picture: AAP Image

“You have just got to be able to defend your line. We have just got to change our mindset and focus on that I reckon.”

The Titans will get a closer look at how those teams operate in the coming months, with two games against the Storm and one against the Roosters still to come.

“We have got a pretty tough run home with a few top sides in the coming weeks so it is not going to get any easier,” Matthews said. “We have definitely got to get our defence right if we want to be respectable.”

Will Matthews. Picture: Gold Coast Titans

The Sea Eagles clash marked the 31-year-old second-rower’s first game back in the NRL for more than 10 months after another frustrating period on the sidelines.

Matthews made 15 tackles in 22 minutes and was relieved to come through unscathed.

The resilience to repeatedly come back from injury setbacks has characterised his career.

“I’ve kind of built myself on that, having a good mindset and being a strong character I suppose and just not giving up,” he said.