Search

show me:

Fogarty forced to wait in Titans' reserves

3 minute read

Gold Coast captain Jamal Fogarty will have to wait to return to the Titans' team after Justin Holbrook confirmed he would stick with Toby Sexton in the halves.

Coach JUSTIN HOLBROOK.
Coach JUSTIN HOLBROOK. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Gold Coast co-captain Jamal Fogarty will not immediately return into the Titans' halves with coach Justin Holbrook revealing his finger injury had left him behind Toby Sexton in the pecking order.

In a frank admission after the Titans' third straight win on Sunday, Holbrook confirmed Fogarty would have to bide his time outside of the 17 despite being fit to play for the first time since round 18.

Sexton has since led the Titans to wins in his first three NRL games to put them back seventh and in the finals hunt after Sunday's defeat of North Queensland.

Intriguingly, Holbrook also confirmed that he would leave Ash Taylor in the halves beside him, despite Taylor being off contract at the end of the year and Fogarty recently re-signed.

One option would have been to drop Taylor given he does not have a future at the club, and partner Fogarty and Sexton up.

But Holbrook will opt for stability and form on Tuesday when he names his side for Saturday's clash with South Sydney.

"Obviously Jamal has been great for us last year and this year," Holbrook said.

"(But) I am really happy with Toby and Ash. I think they're combining really well.

"I like the stability there so I will more than likely keep it as is and Jamal will have to wait for his opportunity."

Holbrook admitted it was an unusual situation to see a club's usual first-choice half and co-captain not automatically returning to the team.

"He's still a huge part of our club whether he is running out on the field," Holbrook said.

"I just have to pick the best 17 for the weekend and we just get on with it."

Meanwhile the Titans coach indicated he would stick with the tactic of bringing David Fifita off the bench in the crucial final month of the season.

The club's marquee player has regularly been named in the starting 13 before a late switch to the bench before kick off.

But Holbrook reasoned he was still playing as many minutes, however the move allows him to make a fresh impact after the first 20 minutes.

The next fortnight against Souths and Melbourne represents a new challenge for the Titans though, after their last three wins came against St George Illawarra, Canterbury and the Cowboys.

"I know we're a better side when he is out there, but the last few weeks have worked great for us," Holbrook said.

"I'm not expecting him to play 80 minutes. He has had a good 60 or 70 minutes for three weeks in a row and we are going good with that formula."

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au