Johns predicts winless Titans to upset high-flying Sea Eagles

NRL great Matty Johns is predicting the Gold Coast Titans will upset the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and record their first win of the season tomorrow night.

The Titans are yet to win a game in 2024, sitting in last place on the NRL ladder having scored the least points over the first six rounds and conceded the third most.

It has been a rough start for new coach Des Hasler but after a much-improved showing last week, losing 21-20 to the Canberra Raiders, Johns believes the Titans can secure their first win of the season against Hasler’s old side.

“I reckon this could be an upset,” Johns said on Morning Glory.

“5:30pm, on the Gold Coast, on that fast track. There’ll be a bias on attack.

“The Titans deserved to win last week, they didn’t. You generally, the week after, get what you deserve… they have to win.”

Despite a poor start to the year, Denan Kemp believes the players’ jobs are more under threat than Hasler’s.

“I think there’ll be a roster cleanout before they get rid of Dessie (Hasler) because it’s been too long since they’ve had a decent enough roster and they should be pushing towards finals,” Kemp said on Morning Glory.

“If you’re not going to react towards Dessie, you’re not going to react to anyone.

“I look at that forward pack – (Moeaki) Fotuaika, Origin. Tino (Fa'asuamaleaui), Origin. (Keenan) Palasia could play origin eventually, Des, (Beau) Fermor, (David) Fifita. It’s a hell of a forward pack.”

The concern for the Titans is they have only conceded under 28 points once this season, and the Sea Eagles have scored the fifth most points and tries in 2024.

The Gold Coast side will also be without Phillip Sami who has been ruled out, with AJ Brimson or Keano Kini likely to play fullback.

The game will mark the first time since Hasler has opposed his former club since their ugly split at the end of the 2022 season and Hasler’s subsequent legal action over the Pride Jersey saga.