10/07/2008 10:13 AM
VENUE & TIME: Sydney Football Stadium, Friday 11 July, 7:45pm AEST.
COVERAGE: Channel 9.
LAST TIME: Titans 22 - Roosters 18 at Carrara Stadium, Round 23, 2007.
WALKING WOUNDED: Mark Minichiello, Luke O'Dywer, Ashley Harrison have joined Scott Prince and Luke Bailey on the Titans' long-term injured list. Roosters prop Nate Myles is gone for six weeks after pleading guilty to a dangerous throw in Origin III. The hosts will also be without James Aubusson and Iosia Soliola.
FORM: The Roosters won seven of their past eight games heading into last week's bye to be sharing the competition lead with Manly and Cronulla. It's a more than fair effort from the Chooks, who were depleted for many of those wins due to Origin representation. They are ready to really hit the go button now the playoffs are in sight. It seems only a matter of time before the blanket is pulled around them and the Titans' season is put out of its misery. Pessimistic perhaps, but with Luke Bailey and Scott Prince gone for the year it's just being realistic. John Cartwright's men limp into this contest with five losses in their past six outings.
WHO'S HOT: Junior Junior Pearce - aka Roosters half-back Mitchell Pearce - confirmed he was a player of the future with a sound performance on debut in Origin III. The thing with this kid is he is only 19 and will definitely get better with age. They say players come back from Origin greater for the experience so look for Pearce to step up a gear in the run to the finals.
WE THINK: The Gold Coast get travel sickness anytime they lose sight of Coolangatta airport so they wouldn't be looking forward to this trip with any great enthusiasm. Without several of their leading players, they could be in for a real hiding if the Roosters stay interested. Roosters by 22.
TEAMS:
Roosters: Amos Roberts; Sam Perrett, Mitch Aubusson, Setaimata Sa, Shaun Kenny-Dowall; Braith Anasta, Mitchell Pearce; Craig Fitzgibbon (c), Anthony Tupou, Willie Mason, David Shillington, Riley Brown, Mark O'Meley (c). Res: Brent Grose, Anthony Cherrington, Lopini Paea, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Jake Friend (one to be omitted).
Titans: Preston Campbell; Ben Jeffrey, Josh Graham, Gavin Cooper, Jordan Rapana; Mat Rogers, Brad Davis; Daniel Conn, Will Matthews, Anthony Laffranchi, Michaell Hodgson, Nathan Friend, James Stosic. Res: Matthew Cross, Michael Henderson, Luke Swain, Shannon Walker.