'Enigma' plagues Titans in uninspiring start to Hasler era

The Titans were an enigma in 2024. A brilliant attacking team bristling with speed and creativity that scored spectacular long-range tries week in, week out. Wingers Alofiana Khan-Pereira and Jojo Fifita scored a stunning 34 tries between them, showing just how open and entertaining attacking football the team played. But defence, normally the hallmark of Des Hasler teams, let the Titans down badly and they conceded over 650 points in 24 games. In the end, they finished fourth last - the identical position in which they ended their 2023 campaign. To be fair, injuries hit the team hard. Forward leader Tino Fa'asuamaleaui played just two games while key backs Jayden Campbell, AJ Brimson and Harley Smith-Shields missed large slices of the season. On the positive, Campbell came of age as a playmaker and is on the verge of becoming a genuine superstar like his illustrious dad Preston. Special mention must go to speed demon Khan-Pereira. To score 24 tries in a team that finished 14th is a real feat, and he becomes the first Titan to ever top the league's end-of-season try leaderboard. The Titans unearthed one of the best new faces of 2024 in fullback Keano Kini, a brilliant ball runner and crowd pleaser. Brian Kelly enjoyed his best season in the centres, and in the forwards Chris Randall, Beau Fermor, Erin Clark, Sam Verrills and Moe Fotuaika all made solid contributions. Veteran Kieran Foran led the team well and while he has lost some of his pace off the mark, he remains quick between the ears. The club has done little in the way of recruitment or cleaning out for 2025, realising they already have the talent within to make an impact next season.

Gold Coast Titans: 2023 finish: 14th | 2024 finish: 14th

2025 gains: Carter Gordon (rugby)

2025 losses: Erin Clark, Isaac Liu (released)

The moment that brought down Cowboys

Where has it all gone wrong for the Cowboys, who looked so good mid-season but have fallen away badly and now are in real danger of missing finals footy?Rarely can a team's demise be put down to one moment - and it came in 20th minute of the round 22 clash against the Titans in late July.It was then that Cowboys centre Val Holmes whacked Titans youngster Jayden Campbell with a swinging arm to the head and was sin binned.The Titans scored an upset win, taking advantage of Holmes' 10-minute absence, and the Cowboys then challenge the grading of the tackle at the judiciary - and lost again.Holmes was outed for the rest of the regular season and the Cowboys haven't won since, falling to the Broncos and Sharks to leave themselves in a perilous position.Holmes' absence has proven he is their x-factor - he has strike power and a real presence on the field and without him they have struggled badly … and face an early exit from the title race.

Gutherson reveals truth behind crazy Eels move

Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson says he's open to a move to the centres as the Eels search for a game-breaking fullback to add to their roster.The Sydney Morning Herald's Michael Chammas revealed on Nine's 100% Footy on Monday night that the club had made enquiries about signing Jayden Campbell from the Gold Coast.There is widespread disbelief that Parramatta would consider shifting Gutherson from the No.1 position, with Wide World of Sports commentators Paul Gallen and Billy Slater both baffled by the news.Speaking on Sky Sports Radio's The Big Sports Breakfast, Gutherson revealed the move to chase a new fullback came out of a discussion with coach Brad Arthur."It was just me and Brad, we just had a conversation," he explained."We've got three spots to fill in our top 30 and we were just going back and forth with what we need and where we want to go in the next few seasons as well and I just said, 'Let's just look at everyone'."I'm there to win games. I've always said I just want to win. I just love playing footy and want to win games."Gutherson conceded the news had taken on a life of its own over the weekend, overshadowing the team's first win of the season."I think it's been blown out of proportion, to be honest," he said."I said to Brad I'd be happy to do anything to win games of footy, as would anyone else in the team."It's probably been blown out of the water a little bit too much but it's just one of those things that once the media and player managers get a hold of it, it takes off and I think that's what it's doing now."The 28-year-old, who joined the Eels in 2016, said he's not fussed by the outcry this has caused."That was all the conversation me and Brad had, I hadn't spoken to anyone else at the club and now it's turned into this," Gutherson noted.