The end of the season can't come quickly enough for these two teams.
It seems an eternity ago, but in fact, it was less than a year since the Dragons were most unlucky to lose in the second week of the 2018 finals against the Rabbitohs.
What followed for them in 2019 has been most disappointing.
As for the Titans, the brave souls who viewed them as finals contenders during the pre-season will think twice before doing so again in 2020.
The side that prepares - and plays - in the most professional manner will win this game. As to which side that is, it's anyone's guess.
Match: Titans v Dragons
Round 25 -
home Team
Titans
16th Position
away Team
Dragons
15th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
The Rundown
Team news
Titans: Tanah Boyd will start at halfback against the Dragons with Ryley Jacks moving to the bench. Ash Taylor and Anthony Don were the first cuts 24 hours out from kick-off while Will Matthews and Kallum Watkins were omitted an hour before game time. Tyrone Peachey reverts to centre following Watkins' axing. The Titans have not won a final round game since 2014.
Dragons: The Dragons will line up 1-17 for their final match of 2019. Patrick Kaufusi and Zac Lomax were the first cuts to the 21-man squad on Friday and Matt Dufty and Jacob Host were cut an hour before kick-off. The Dragons are going with four forwards on the bench, including Jeremy Latimore in his NRL swansong. The Dragons have scored 136 points in their past three games against the Titans.
Match: Titans v Dragons
Round 25 -
home Team
Titans
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Titans is number 1 Michael GordonFullback for Dragons is number 1 Corey Norman
-
Winger for Titans is number 2 Jesse ArtharsWinger for Dragons is number 2 Tristan Sailor
-
Centre for Titans is number 3 Tyrone PeacheyCentre for Dragons is number 3 Euan Aitken
-
Centre for Titans is number 4 Brian KellyCentre for Dragons is number 4 Tim Lafai
-
Winger for Titans is number 5 Phillip SamiWinger for Dragons is number 5 Jonus Pearson
-
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Alexander BrimsonFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Gareth Widdop
-
Halfback for Titans is number 14 Tanah BoydHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt
Forwards
-
Prop for Titans is number 8 Jarrod WallaceProp for Dragons is number 8 James Graham
-
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Mitch ReinHooker for Dragons is number 9 Reece Robson
-
Prop for Titans is number 10 Jai ArrowProp for Dragons is number 10 Paul Vaughan
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Kevin Proctor2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Tyson Frizell
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Sam Stone2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jackson Ford
-
Lock for Titans is number 13 Nathan PeatsLock for Dragons is number 13 Blake Lawrie
Interchange
-
Interchange for Titans is number 7 Ryley JacksInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Jeremy Latimore
-
Interchange for Titans is number 15 Jai WhitbreadInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Korbin Sims
-
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Bryce CartwrightInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Luciano Leilua
-
Interchange for Titans is number 17 Jack StockwellInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Josh Kerr
Match Officials
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Referee: Gavin Badger
Last updated:
Key match-up
Jai Arrow v Tyson Frizell. This pair would find a spot in every team in the NRL. Arrow has been a shining light for the Titans while Frizell remains a mainstay for the Blues. Both are in the running for Test selection come the end of the year.
For the Titans to win
Defend, defend and then defend again. The Titans have struggled to maintain defensive intensity for more than just a few sets at a time for most the past few months. Can they achieve what they've been missing in their last hurrah for 2019?
For the Dragons to win
Hope the young brigade show enough to suggest better times are ahead. Tristan Sailor, Jackson Ford and Blake Lawrie have the ability to become central figures in a Dragons revival in 2020.
Brett Kimmorley says
They played a few weeks ago and there was about 60 points scored. It could be the same again this weekend. It is a hard game to get a read on. The Titans might actually be able to produce one last strong performance at home. I’ve no idea who is going to play out of their skin for the Titans but this is a game they can win. Titans by 1
Stat Attack
Since 2013, the Titans have had just one season in which they've finished the year with 10 or more wins. That came in 2016 when they had 11 and squeezed into the top eight.
And another thing ...
Barring an amazing haul in his final match, Michael Gordon will retire in 13th place on the NRL's all-time list of point scorers. Luke Burt (1793) is in 12th spot.
