Titans love being written off: Prince - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Titans love being written off: Prince

By Steve Jancetic 08/09/2009 04:25:03 PM Comments (0)

They're the only side in the NRL finals to have beaten every other top-eight team in 2009, yet no-one seems to give Gold Coast much chance of going all the way in their maiden finals campaign.

And Titans skipper Scott Prince wouldn't have it any other way.

"We love the underdog tag," Prince said.

"Even this week, we've got a really good home record but the Broncos will get the favouritism, especially off the back of their month of good footy."

The Titans dropped only one match at home this season, yet were still relegated to outsiders for their qualifying final against Brisbane at Skilled Park on Saturday night.

Despite finishing just two points behind minor premiers St George Illawarra at the end of the regular season, the Titans could do no better than the seventh line of betting to win the decider, Gold Coast at $13 with only Newcastle at longer odds at $21 to take the title.

Of all the sides to have made the finals, Gold Coast is the only team to have beaten every other finalist in 2009, with even the Dragons failing to beat Newcastle this season.

Conversely Brisbane have not beaten Manly, the Bulldogs or Newcastle this year, and have a 4-7 win-loss record overall against other sides in the top eight compared to the Titans' 7-5 record.

The only side to fare better against other top eight sides in 2009 were minor premiers the Dragons, who went 7-4.

"It doesn't worry me whatsoever no-one gives us a chance," Prince said.

"We're here and there's another eight teams on the drink right about now.

"I've been in that position over the last four years and it's not a good feeling.

"As long as we've given ourselves an opportunity to be in the finals, which we have, then we know what we can do."

But despite his iron-like grip on the underdog tag, Prince admits the Titans would have underachieved if they didn't advance to at least the third week of the finals series.

Gold Coast can go straight through to a preliminary final if they win and one of the Dragons or Bulldogs lose their qualifying final, but with the top eight as even as it has been in recent memory, Prince knows there is also a chance his side could be bundled out in week one if the bottom four sides all win.

But Prince said the Titans weren't in the finals just to make up the numbers.

"It's one thing to make the eight, another thing is to play well and do well in the finals," Prince said.

"That's all we can do, prepare the best we can.

"If we get beaten on the day by a better team, well I can live with that, you just can't live with going in there and playing poorly and walking way with our tail between our legs.

"We've worked so hard (to make the finals) - it's evident in that we finished in third spot only two points behind the minor premiers.

"From my point of view I'd be very disappointed if that's the approach (just being happy to be here) but I can't see that happening."

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