Confident Titans talk of top four after thrashing Panthers

FORGET being content with a finals berth - Titans players are confident they are a top-four team playing with a self-belief they forgot existed.

FORGET being content with a finals berth - Gold Coast Titans players are confident they are a top-four team playing with a self-belief they forgot existed.

The Titans dominated a woeful Penrith Panthers at Skilled Park 36-18 after leading 30-0 in the second half.

But it was not all good news for the tourist strip with star backrower Greg Bird set to miss their Friday night clash with St George Illawarra after straining his pectoral muscle.

Bird left the field in the second half but was confident he would only miss a week and would be available for Origin III on July 4.

"It's just a recurrence of an old injury," Bird said.

The Titans, who finally secured their future with an investment package last Friday, were dripping with confidence yesterday as they played with flair not seen since their run to the finals in 2010.

They have won four of their past five games and were excellent in attack against the Panthers, although their defence still needs major improvement.

MATCH CENTRE: Titans v Panthers scores, stats

The Titans scored six tries to three, including several brilliant long-range efforts and one of the best prop four-pointers in recent history as Brenton Lawrence stepped through four Panthers defenders during a 40m special.

Titans hooker Matt Srama, who debuted for the club in the middle of their awful wooden-spoon run last year, said yesterday's performance showed they could make the top four.

"I really think we are a finals team. We are jelling well and I wouldn't be surprised if we are in the top four by season's end," the 21-year-old said.

David Mead

"Our cohesion gets better each week and Princey (Scott Prince) is on fire.

"I came into the team when we were in a rut. I know what it's like to be at the lowest point. This winning feeling is new to me and I'm absolutely loving it"

Winger David Mead, who scored an 80m runaway try, echoed Srama's sentiments.

"We are 100 per cent a finals team, I think we are a top-four team," Mead said.

The Titans have moved up to 10th on the ladder, two wins away from a place in the top eight. Their performance must be watered down though as it was against opponents undergoing enormous culture change and without their inspirational leader Luke Lewis.

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary described his team's effort as "self-mutilation".

GOLD COAST TITANS 36 (Aidan Sezer 2, David Mead, Steve Michaels, Brenton Lawrence, Luke O'Dwyer tries; Scott Prince six goals ) def PENRITH PANTHERS 18 (Arana Taumata, Cameron Ciraldo, Ryan Simpkins tries; Luke Walsh 3 goals) at Skilled Park.