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Titans see need for speed against Eels

By Laine Clark 17/09/2009 08:32:10 PM Comments (0)

He's been called a "freak", a player who can turn a match on its ear in an instant - and it's not Jarryd Hayne.

The Eels superstar may be dominating the headlines ahead of Friday night's NRL semi-final against the Gold Coast Titans at the SFS.

But the Titans believe the clash could be decided by someone who they reckon has so far been flying under the radar.

And "flying" is the operative word.

They don't call Titans winger Kevin Gordon "Flash" for nothing.

He's been clocked over 40m at the Titans at 4.87 seconds.

But it was way back in January that convinced the Titans that they had something very special indeed.

Back then all the hype surrounded another Gold Coast winger - Shannon Walker.

So it was no surprise that he arrived at the inaugural Dick 'Tosser' Turner footballers sprint at Kilcoy, north of Brisbane, the warm favourite.

And as expected Walker led the 120m foot race - until Gordon made his move.

When the dust settled, Gordon had won by six metres to collect the $6,000 winner's cheque.

It's that blinding speed that has convinced Titans assistant coach Trevor Gillmeister that Gordon could prove the difference in their must-win clash with the Eels.

Just as Hayne chopped up the Dragons' tiring defence last weekend, Gillmeister was confident Gordon could turn on the afterburners against the Eels.

"The big thing is that blokes get tired at certain stages of the game, especially in the middle of the ruck," Gillmeister said.

"But on the flip side I think some of our blokes like Kevin can expose some of their players (the same way)."

In a scary thought, Gordon has a partner in crime - PNG international David Mead.

Titans utility William Zillman is no mug - but he laughs when asked how he compares with their speed.

"They towel me up, trust me," he said.

He reckons they have been unheralded in the lead-up to the do or die finals clash - but expects that to change very soon.

"They have been flying under the radar but if anything that is a good thing, that they haven't really been spoken about," Zillman said.

"They are freaks. I don't know who is quicker but they are speedsters, and they are best mates too, so they are always competing which is good.

Titans veteran Preston Campbell said they had speed to burn - but it was up to their teammates to help unleash it.

"We've got speedsters, but speed doesn't mean anything if you don't use it," Campbell said.

"We've got to get them involved."

But no doubt one man will hog the headlines again on Friday - that man Hayne.

Even Campbell admitted he was a fan.

"He's been in the paper a fair bit, hasn't he - and for good reason," he said.

"He's just showing his potential, he's always had it.

"I am a fan of his, myself. I think you would find a few footballers watching him have become fans - I'm going to enjoy playing against him."

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