Key Three: Fifita fires, offloads hurt and depth tested
The Gold Coast Titans have gone down to the St George Illawarra Dragons 38 to 16 at WIN Stadium in Wollongong tonight.
It was a tight affair early before three tries just before half-time set up victory for the home side.
Here are the key three talking points out of the match;
Fifita strong in Origin tussle
After off-season surgery David Fifita's minutes and involvement has slowly increased in the first five matches, but signs he was back to his best were on show against the Dragons.
He set up the Titans first try with a nice run and offload for Brian Kelly to score, and then was the instigator in the second, throwing off players with ease.
His workrate was high from the first minute and up against Jaydnt Su'A, who he will compete with for a Queensland State of Origin jersey this year, Fifita relished the challenge and physical battle.
Easily the Titans best, Fifita finished the night with 206 run metres (105 post-contact), 4 offloads, 10 tackle breaks and 26 tackles.
Offloads hurt Titans
The Titans ability to stop the second phase of the Dragons came back to hurt them as the Dragons put back to back tries on the board.
It was 10-4 in favour of the Dragons at half time and finishing the second stanza to 17-12.
It was a key area the Titans had identified during the week, so will no doubt disappoint Des Hasler's men.
The Titans were in the contest until three quick tries before halftime put the game out of reach, as the Dragons offloads helped them gain and maintain momentum
Injury toll bites as depth tested
The Gold Coast Titans injury toll has mounted in the early weeks, with a number of new faces being thrust into first grade.
With five players still in single digits for NRL games, Des Hasler is relying on youth and inexperience until the troops start returning.
That included debutant Allan Fitzgibbon who made a solid debut on the wing from the bench tonight, at the age of 26.
Captain, Tino Faásuamaleaui will return from suspension next week, wingers Alofiana Khan-Pereira and Jojo Fifita are closing in on a return and likely to be considered for the next game, however Keano Kini, Kieran Foran and uncapped Carter Gordon remain longer term prospects.
The Titans are back home at Cbus Super Stadium next Sunday as they take on the Canberra Raiders on Easter Sunday.
