Gold Coast‘s horror loss in opposition to the Broncos of their first trial has raised alarm bells for the membership, with query marks surrounding AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell.
Regardless of having a big chunk of their top-line stars in motion, the Titans have been obliterated by their Queensland rivals, happening 50-12 on Sunday afternoon.
Brisbane trotted out only a few common first graders for the conflict, however seemed to hit the bottom working beneath new coach Michael Maguire.
READ MORE: NRL’s high 50 gamers: Origin skipper, breakout stars picked
READ MORE: ‘Profound unhappiness’ as jockey dies from race fall
READ MORE: Ange’s big win in conflict of large golf equipment in disaster
Michael Maguire’s tenure as Broncos coach is off to a robust begin. 9
The identical could not be mentioned for Des Hasler’s facet, who missed 42 tackles and have been blown off the park in a worrying signal heading into the beginning of the marketing campaign.
Talking on SEN Radio, Corey Parker questioned how the Titans can bounce again after having a “stacked” crew cop a heavy defeat.
“Should you’re on the receiving finish of fifty [points], the place do you go? You’ve got simply spent all summer time engaged on one thing,” the previous Broncos star mentioned.
“From the Titans’ perspective, they’d a fairly sturdy lineup and had 4 out of their high 17 not out there. It was a fairly stacked crew they usually bought 50 factors placed on them.”
Greg Alexander was additionally fast to criticise the Titans after a dismal effort.
AJ Brimson in motion in opposition to the Broncos. Getty
“They’d 10 first graders they usually did not keep on the sector all sport, they ran them on and off and Des would have that as a little bit of an excuse within the again pocket,” he mentioned.
“How would Des Hasler be feeling this morning? Marty Taupau seemed like the most effective front-rower ever yesterday, he was simply marching up the sector.”
There was loads of conjecture over the make-up of the Gold Coast backbone in the course of the low season, with a variety of gamers vying for restricted spots.
Kieran Foran has been rumoured to overlook out on a beginning function, with Brimson anticipated to companion livewire Jayden Campbell within the halves for spherical one.
Nonetheless, in response to Parker, there are nonetheless doubts over Campbell’s skill to put on the No.7 jumper for a whole season and the place others match into the equation.
“I do not assume at this level in his profession, taking part in seven is the proper transfer for him,” he mentioned.
Jayden Campbell in motion for the Indigenous All Stars. Getty
“He is an excellent participant, however his finest asset is the very fact he can play that instinctive, off-the-cuff kind of soccer. Should you give him the seven, he wants to consider a whole lot of issues.
“Does that take away from his skill to being an X-factor type of participant? I believe it does.
“Keano Kini had an distinctive season final 12 months and he might be their No.1 and Kieran Foran has that skill to steer the crew round, so it’ll be attention-grabbing.
“It additionally poses the query for AJ Brimson. The place is his finest place? I am unsure.”
Campbell performed within the halves for the Indigenous All Stars of their loss in opposition to the Maori, however ought to be again on deck for the Titans of their second pre-season sport.
