At the beginning of the season I said that if the Titans avoided finishing last that they could be pretty happy with their efforts in 2015.
Given the unsettled start to the season, the Titans produced some amazing performances, but simply lost too many close games to threaten for finals positions.
Unfortunately for Titans fans, the name Daly Cherry-Evans will forever be the biggest talking point in 2015. The saga doesn’t need revisiting, but the Titans recruitment plans were thrown into chaos upon DCE’s last minute backflip.
Youngster Kane Elgey provided a genuine highlight for the season, while centre James Roberts certainly repaid the faith shown in him by the club.
Season Highlight: 32-6 win over the Panthers (Round 7)
Considering what the Panthers did to them a month earlier (see below) this would have felt good.
The Titans were well and truly on this day, and ran away with it in the end with William Zillman and James Roberts the stars on the day.
10 of their 17 players managed to gain over 100 metres that day, with Zillman running for an incredible 269.
When the Titans were on, they were extremely fun to watch. This was one of the very few times they were able to put together a near 80 minute performance.
Season Lowlight: 40-0 loss to the Panthers (round 3)
This was the game where I believed the Titans fears from preseason would truly be realised as they were absolutely wiped off the park by a rampant Panthers side.
Nothing good can be said about their efforts against the Panthers in this fixture.
Whereas they were right in the game in a first up loss to the Tigers, this “effort” saw the Titans firm into almost unbackable favouritism for the wooden spoon.
No player managed over 90 metres, while they missed 34 tackle.
Star Player: James Roberts
Roberts repaid the faith shown in him by the club with a series of absolutely blistering performances.
On his day, no one can stop James Roberts. His speed, acceleration and power were at times second to none in 2015.
To this day I don’t know how his name wasn’t firmly in Origin contention. It was almost as like the Blues forget he existed.
He scored 16 tries and had 15 line breaks. Unfortunately for his opponents, most of those line breaks led to big metres, given the speed of the 22 year-old flyer.
Most Disappointing Player: Greg Bird
Disregarding the suspension he served early in the season, Bird simply did not play enough games of quality this season to justify his reputation.
His horror tackle on Jason Nightingale cost him an eight week suspension, and his form suffered on his return.
Everyone knows of Bird’s talents, but his 2015 will be remembered for his time spent on the sidelines.
He needs a trouble free off-season and a big season in 2016.
Future Star: Kane Elgey
The Titans have unearthed an absolute gem in young halfback Kane Elgey.
His introduction into the side meant Aidan Sezer became a far more dangerous player, although it was Elgey who grabbed the majority of the headlines this season.
His all round game, despite being just 21 years of age saw him come very close to rookie of the year honours.
The club missed out on a brilliant halfback, but managed to unearth a brilliant halfback.
Although you’d be stretching to say he is in the same class, he certainly has all the abilities to one day enter that elite class.
Best Signing For 2016: Ashley Taylor
After losing Aidan Sezer, the Titans had no option but to recruit a replacement. Although they did manage to secure the signing of former Knight Tyrone Roberts, it is the signing of young Taylor that should excite fans on the holiday strip.
The Broncos did not want to lose the talented 20 year-old, but with his path to first grade blocked by time pretty handing halves, Taylor’s move slightly south makes sense for all involved.
Although he only has one NRL game to his name, he should add plenty more, despite the presence of Roberts next season.
He and Elgey have the talent to form one of the most exciting young halves partnerships in the game.
Outlook:
After missing out on DCE, I thought the Titans would throw big money at big names. Unfortunately for fans of the club, they were unable to land that marquee signing.
They did manage to extend the contracts of their two prized possessions in Elgey and Roberts, and were able to add a brilliant halves partner for Elgey.
With plenty of rumours about player releases, the Titans should have plenty of room to move should someone become available.
Their current squad can do a lot of damage, but after losing Nate Myles and Aidan Sezer, they could also fall apart should injury strike.
There were reasons as to why they can be forgiven for finishing 14th this season, but I don’t think fans will be happy to accept another tough season.
There will be a LOT of pressure on Elgey and Taylor next season.
Farah is to be released from the Tigers, the Titans need to go and go hard.
Season Grading: D
Although they finished just one win from finishing last, the Titans can be pretty happy with their efforts in 2015.
The ASADA plagued off-season aside, it’s tough to think of a side entering a season with a worse pre-season under their belts.
Financial troubles, legal troubles, being removed from their training base, just to name a few.
I’m not one for excuses, but the Titans were up against their fair share of distractions, and performed well considering.
The difference between the Titans best and worst was way too far to be any real chance of playing finals footy, but they had their moments.
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