With Karyn Murphy confirming no changes to the 17 named at the start of the week, it's expected the 25-year-old wrecking ball will back-up her Round 1 heroics with another strong performance up front; something she did the last time the Titans faced the Tigers with a whopping 286 running metres.
Georgia Grey will make her NRLW debut in the sold-out clash, becoming Titan #43 when she lines up on the wing; whilst Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell will play her first game of 2024 off the bench, with Rilee Jorgensen promoted to the starting side.
Wests Tigers Aim For Improved Performance
After a tough first-up defeat, Wests Tigers head to Cbus Super Stadium in search of an improved performance against the Titans in Round 2 of the NRLW. Wests Tigers coach Brett Kimmorley has named an unchanged lineup, with Round 1 club debutants Harmony Crichton, Shaianne McGlone, Tara Reinke and Natasha Penitani all holding their places in the side.
Titans Set to Continue Strong Start
Gold Coast began their season with an eight-point victory over the Dragons and are a constant attacking threat with the likes of Jaime Chapman and Evania Pelite in their backline. Queensland State of Origin winger Emily Bass will also look to continue her try-scoring form, after grabbing a hat-trick in Round 1 for the 2023 NRLW Grand Finalists.
Key Players and Match Preview
Titans' Key Players
Shannon Mato, the Titans' powerhouse forward, will be looking to continue her dominance in the forward pack. Her strong runs and powerful carries will be key to the Titans' success. Evania Pelite and Jaime Chapman are the key attacking weapons for the Titans. Their speed and agility will be a threat to the Wests Tigers' defense.
Wests Tigers' Key Players
The Wests Tigers will be looking to their experienced players to lead the way in Round 2. The likes of Kezie Apps, Botille Vette-Welsh, and Karina Brown will be crucial to their chances of success.
Key Matchups
The matchup between the Titans' forwards and the Wests Tigers' forwards will be a key battle to watch. The Titans have a strong pack led by Shannon Mato, while the Wests Tigers have a number of experienced forwards who will be looking to contain them. The Titans' backline will be looking to exploit any weaknesses in the Wests Tigers' defense. The battle between Evania Pelite and Jaime Chapman against the Wests Tigers' backline will be a highlight of the match.
Titans' Lineup Changes
Titans winger Karina Brown is out with a calf issue and will be replaced by Georgia Grey, who is set to make her NRLW debut. Zara Canfield is also sidelined with a fractured thumb, with Rilee Jorgensen moving into the starting side and Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell joining the interchange bench.
Wests Tigers' Lineup Changes
The Wests Tigers have named an unchanged lineup for Round 2.
Previous Matchup
In the only prior match between these two teams, the Titans emerged narrow 16-4 winners at the same venue in 2023.
Prediction
The Titans are the favorites to win this match. They have a strong team on paper and are coming off a strong Round 1 victory. The Wests Tigers will be looking to bounce back from their Round 1 loss, but they will need to play a much better game to get a win.
Looking Ahead
With the Titans looking to make a strong push for the title this season, this match against the Wests Tigers will be a good opportunity for them to build momentum early in the season. The Wests Tigers, on the other hand, will be looking to get their season back on track with a strong performance against the Titans. This match is sure to be a tense and exciting encounter, with both teams looking for a win.
