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Titans threatened by 'freakish' Raiders

26/03/2010 06:24:05 PM Comments (0)

Gold Coast have dismissed their hot favourites tag, labelling Saturday night's youthful rivals Canberra a team with some freakish attacking players.

Canberra overcame an ordinary completion rate to outplay Brisbane 22-14 on Monday night and veteran centre Mat Rogers and coach John Cartwright both believe they are a side capable of beating anyone on their day.

Even with inspirational Preston Campbell returning from a head knock, Rogers said the Raiders, who have never won at Skilled Park, pose a genuine threat to the Titans' unbeaten start to 2010.

Rogers is wary of players like lightning quick 19-year-old fullback Josh Dugan, halfback Josh McCrone, utility Joel Thompson and Kiwi international Bronson Harrison, running off creative five-eighth David Campese.

"Canberra can do anything with the ball, they can beat anyone on their night, we know that," said Rogers.

"I see we're red hot favourites, but we don't feel like that.

"The likes of Campese and Thompson on my edge, (Bronson) Harrison, they're just playing some really great football.

"Campo is a freak of a player, he can do anything.

"McCrone is a great young halfback, they've got a number of players that can do anything, including their young fullback Dugan, he's a great talent.

"They're playing with a youthful exuberance and that can be as dangerous as anybody."

Rogers, who scored the match-winning try in the corresponding fixture at Skilled Park last year, bagged himself for fundamental errors that let in a few tries against Souths last weekend in the Titans' 19-18 win.

"I was pretty ordinary (defensively) last week," said the dual international.

"I let a couple of tries in last week and I'm definitely looking to make amends for that.

"If I make those tackles, we win the game comfortably."

Rogers said it would be great having Campbell back on deck against the dangerous Raiders.

"He's super, he's been bouncing around at training all week," he said of the livewire fullback.

"We're all looking forward to having him back out on the field, he's just such an inspiration for all of us."

Cartwright said his side couldn't afford to drop off in any department against the Raiders.

"We're not a side who can drop the ball in any area, we're a team of grafters and whenever we don't do the little things well, we struggle no matter who we play," he said.

He also said too much was being expected of halfback Scott Prince every week.

"Prance is probably someone we expect too much from," he said.

"Everyone compares him to (Johnathan) Thurston but he's a totally different player to Thurston.

"We play with a bit more structure and if that structure's not there we look to him and say why?

"He's got a lot of pressure on his shoulders."

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