NRL 2022: Titans, Late change: Handy back to replace strike weapon

Author: Titans.com.au
Timestamp: Thu 28 Apr 2022, 05:41 PM

Gold Coast Titans head coach Justin Holbrook has confirmed a late change to the 17 to face the Penrith Panthers on Friday night at Cbus Super Stadium.

Experienced winger Corey Thompson is set to return in place of strike outside back Phil Sami, who has failed to overcome a knee injury sustained in the club's Round 6 clash against Manly.

Titans medicos were expecting the five-try flyer to return for the battle of the young guns, but opted to put Sami on ice for another week to ensure he is fit and firing for the Round 9 clash in regional Queensland, taking on the Roosters in Mackay.

Thompson - who was given two weeks rest to get his fractured hand 100 percent right so he can return to the red-hot form he's known for - is ready to impress in his recall against the defending premiers after spending the entire week training on the wing.

Round 8 - Round 8 - Friday 29 Apr

Full Time

Titans

Panthers

Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Highlights Latest

"I want to try and get back to where I was last year," Thompson said.

"Obviously, I came back for those two games after my broken hand. I was a bit off and I wasn't too confident in my hand myself, but I've been training really well the last couple of weeks [to get it right].

"I was disappointed not to be playing but Justo gave me a call at start of the week and said I'll get another opportunity.

"I really just want to get back to how I was last year; full of energy, full of competitiveness and what better way to try and get back there than against the reigning premiers."

Whilst most fans and punters know the Titans go into the clash as the underdogs, Thompson doesn't expect Penrith to underestimate their opposition, especially after previously being under the guide of Panthers coach Ivan Cleary.

'I want to get back to how I was last year' - Thompson

"I don't think they're preparing like that. I was coached by Ivan at the Tigers and I know that he prepares his sides really well and I don't think they'll be complacent," Thompson said.

"They'll want to come here and prove a point and stay undefeated.

"They'll stick to their footy and they're not coming up here for a holiday. They're coming up to try and beat us, but we're ready for them.

"We've prepared well all week and hopefully it shows on game day."

The mouth-watering match-up at Cbus Super Stadium kicks off at 6pm.

Be there to witness a battle of the young guns, with scintillating stars AJ Brimson and Jarome Luai headlining the Titans' Round 8 Friday night showdown against the Penrith Panthers at Cbus Super Stadium.

Secure your seat now!

Round 8 - Round 8 - Friday 29 Apr

Full Time

Titans

Panthers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Titans is number 1 AJ Brimson

Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
Winger for Titans is number 5 Greg Marzhew

Winger for Panthers is number 2 Charlie Staines
Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly

Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
Centre for Titans is number 4 Patrick Herbert

Centre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen Crichton
Winger for Titans is number 23 Corey Thompson

Winger for Panthers is number 5 Taylan May
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Will Smith

Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai
Halfback for Titans is number 7 Toby Sexton

Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary

Forwards

Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika

Prop for Panthers is number 8 Matthew Eisenhuth
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Erin Clark

Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
Prop for Titans is number 10 Isaac Liu

Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor

2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Viliame Kikau
2nd Row for Titans is number 17 Kevin Proctor

2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
Lock for Titans is number 13 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Interchange

Interchange for Titans is number 11 David Fifita

Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Soni Luke
Interchange for Titans is number 14 Tanah Boyd

Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Scott Sorensen
Interchange for Titans is number 15 Sam Lisone

Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Spencer Leniu
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Herman Ese'ese

Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Jaeman Salmon