Murphy wary of Eels shock factor in important home clash
Karyn Murphy knows Sunday's clash against the Eels will be no walkover, even despite them sitting last on the NRLW ladder.
Needing the win to all but secure a finals berth, the Titans coach has kept the focus on themselves heading into the penultimate clash of the regular season, particularly after grinding away a 16-4 win over the Tigers last Sunday.
"It's definitely an important one and the Eels are a team that are improving every week... so we know it's going to be a tough one this week," Murphy said.
"With two rounds to go, our focus as always, and particularly as we move towards the back end of the year, is working on what we know we need to improve and being better at what we do."
Match: Titans v Eels
Round 8 -
home Team
Titans
3rd Position
away Team
Eels
10th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
With the gallant Parramatta side welcoming back their captain Kennedy Cherrington from a four-week suspension, Murphy knows what impact the inclusion of the Jillaroos forward can have to bolster the opposition, but her primary focus is on the Gold Coast improving, especially putting together a complete 70-minute performance.
"Kennedy does come back in this week to add to their good playing roster, but it's not about them. We'll obviously look at a couple of their players and what we need to look do, but definitely the focus is on us because we've been patchy at times," she said.
"We just want to have a good 70 minute performance this week and that's the most important thing with finals around the corner.
"We know we need to be better in some areas. Our defence has been good and we've been working hard on our attack.
"Last week, obviously a few errors cost us building that pressure on the other team and that's going to be really important going into finals."
Part of a NRLW double header at Cbus Super Stadium with the Cowboys facing the Raiders in the first of two games, the Titans coach is hoping to put on a good show in front of their home fans in the last regular season showing on the Coast.
"It's exciting hosting a double header at home and we've really enjoyed having these home games, and it's so good to be back at home again this week in front of friends and family," Murphy said.
"Hopefully we can get good support from the Gold Coast community with two good games, especially the Cowboys playing before us being another Queensland team against the Raiders.
"It should be a good afternoon of footy and hopefully we get a good crowd there."
