We're not moving NRL final, say Titans - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

We're not moving NRL final, say Titans

By Wayne Heming 31/08/2009 08:05:57 PM Comments (0)

Titans coach John Cartwright says the club will play its historic first NRL final at its Skilled Park fortress even if a possible showdown with arch rivals Brisbane would pull twice as many fans to Suncorp Stadium.

Suggestions a Titans-Broncos clash would pack Suncorp Stadium were met on Monday with a "no way Jose" response from Cartwright.

The Gold Coast will reward fans with a home final - and there's a good chance it could be against six-time premiers Brisbane.

"I don't know what the rules are but we wouldn't give up a home semi-final," said Cartwright, asked if the club would consider moving its home final to the 52,000-seat Brisbane stadium to accommodate more fans than its 24,000 capacity home venue at Robina.

"If it's our right to hold a semi-final, we won't be giving that up to go up to Brisbane to play, that's for sure."

The Titans have won 11 of their 12 games this season at Skilled Park, their only loss coming against North Queensland in round 21.

The last time a finals fixture was moved was in 2004 when Brisbane requested its clash with North Queensland be played in Townsville at Dairy Farmers Stadium rather than in front of a half-full Sydney Football Stadium.

The Broncos, who had not lost a game to the Cowboys previously, argued the switch would be great for Queensland rugby league.

They lost the final 10-0 in Gorden Tallis's farewell appearance for the club.

Brisbane said the circumstances in 2004 were much different and they would not expect the Titans to give up their final even though Suncorp Stadium could hold 25,000 more fans.

Meanwhile Cartwright declared the Titans, who have won their past four games, would love to beat Manly at the weekend and sneak into second place for a double life in the finals.

"It would be nice. It's a bonus, you're guaranteed two chances if you come first or second," he said on Monday.

"It would be an extra bonus we didn't really count on.

"We'll know where we stand if the Dragons lose (to Parramatta) and we'd have to go down and do a job on Manly at Brookie."

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