Key Three: Kini breaks record, slow first half hurts and #Foz300

It was a milestone day for Titans skipper Kieran Foran as he celebrated game 300, but unfortunately it wasn't with victory at WIN Stadium for his Gold Coast side.

The St George Illawarra Dragons proved to strong, winning the game 32-16 in a game of two halves that saw the Dragons dominate the first forty minutes, before the Titans tried to chase them down in the second stanza.

Here are the key talking points out of the game:

Kini smashes own run metres record

Keano Kini has set a new run metres record for the Titans for the second time in only his 21st NRL appearance, notching up with 346 metres.

In the first touch of the game for the Titans, the Dragons learnt a early lesson how you kick chase against Keano Kini.

Don't leave space, or he will find it.

And just like that the Titans youngster was in the backfield to set up Jojo Fifita for the first try. 

From there, Kini ran, ran and ran some more.

Suprassing 150 metres inside the first 25 minutes, he then had his own club record (321 metres against the Wests Tigers in round 15 this year) in sight. 

And, with 12 minutes to go he went past that number, with the NRL record his next marker.

370 metres by Clint Gutherson (NRL record), proved a number just out of reach, but you would be brave to bet against him going close again soon. 

Kini is a tireless worker who has been an inspiration for the Titans this season with energy and effort. 

Slow start hurts Titans

They may have scored first but the Titans will lament a sluggish first half as the Dragons piled on five unanswered tries to take a 26-6 half time lead.

From that point it was always going to be tough for Des Hasler's men, and despite being the better side in the second half, it wasn't enough.

Jayden Campbell turned some fortune into a try early in the second half, before Foran set up Jojo Fifita, but try as they might the Titans couldn't find the points needed to reel in the Dragons side.

Trailing by 20 at half time it was always going to be a tough task and Hasler got a response from his side out of the half time break but it proved a margin too far in the end. 

Foran still a cause for celebration 

Forget the scoreline for a moment and football fans must admire the story of Kieran Foran in reaching NRL game 300 today.

Friends, family and former teammates came from far and wide to support the man they call 'Foz' at WIN Stadium.

With off-field battles and on-field injuries, just making today's game was a reason for celebration, and, Foran was as involved as ever.

Showing his toughness as he was on the receiving end of a high shot from Jack De Belin that saw him sin binned, before a crafty 'harbour bridge' pass to set up Jojo Ffiita in the 65th minute for his second try of the day. 

Foran's play has evolved across his career but his toughness and determination have remained cornerstones.

Victory wasn't to be with his side falling short, but in time the Titans leader can reflect and celebrate what a day today was.

The celebrations don't stop today though, with the Titans to acknowledge the achievement back home at Cbus Super Stadium next Sunday as part of a Titans v Sydney Roosters double header in the NRL and NRLW.

Official presentations from the NRL and club will take place post-game, as the club also say 'thank you' to their loyal legion of Members in what will be the NRL side's final home game of 2024.