Gold Coast‘s horror loss towards 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 had 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.
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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 had 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” staff cop a heavy defeat.
“When 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 reasonably sturdy lineup and had 4 out of their high 17 not accessible. It was a reasonably stacked staff and so they obtained 50 factors placed on them.”
Greg Alexander was additionally fast to criticise the Titans after a dismal effort.
AJ Brimson in motion towards the Broncos. Getty
“That they had 10 first graders and so they did not keep on the sphere all recreation, 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 perfect front-rower ever yesterday, he was simply marching up the sphere.”
There was loads of conjecture over the make-up of the Gold Coast backbone through the low season, with plenty of gamers vying for restricted spots.
Kieran Foran has been rumoured to overlook out on a beginning function, with Brimson anticipated to associate livewire Jayden Campbell within the halves for spherical one.
Nonetheless, in line with Parker, there are nonetheless doubts over Campbell’s potential to put on the No.7 jumper for a complete season and the place others match into the equation.
“I do not suppose at this level in his profession, taking part in seven is the fitting 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 actual fact he can play that instinctive, off-the-cuff kind of soccer. When you give him the seven, he wants to consider a number of issues.
“Does that take away from his potential to being an X-factor type of participant? I feel it does.
“Keano Kini had an distinctive season final yr and he shall be their No.1 and Kieran Foran has that potential to steer the staff 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 towards the Maori, however ought to be again on deck for the Titans of their second pre-season recreation.
