Match Details
Match Date	5th Sep, 2020
Opponent	Gold Coast Titans
Result	Loss 14-18
Coach	Steve Georgallis
Captain	Josh Jackson
Venue	Homebush (ANZ Stadium)
Referee	Chris Sutton

The Titans have secured their first back-to-back wins this season after edging out a Bulldogs pack headed for the wooden spoon with a 18-14 victory.

But the biggest talking point out of the clash is the season-ending and possibly career-ending injury to off-contract star Kieran Foran, who is desperately chasing a deal for 2021 and beyond.

The first try of the afternoon came early in the piece through a former Bulldog. Gold Coast winger Corey Thompson crossed in the corner after catching a pinpoint cut-out pass from chief playmaker Ashley Taylor.But it was the lead up work that was just as impressive. Rookie Titans’ second-rower Beau Fermor found himself on the wing and took off down the sideline before passing onto AJ Brimson who was in support. It looked like a sure try before Canterbury’s Nick Meaney caught him from behind 10 metres out from the line.

Gold Coast’s joy was short-lived as impressive forward Jaimin Joliffe limped from the field and centre Brian Kelly went down with an ankle injury just seconds later. Joliffe’s exit saw returning star forward Jai Arrow enter the game earlier than he probably expected.

The Titans extended their lead through a perfectly weighted grubber from halfback Jamal Fogarty for Fermor, who had shifted to the centres to replace Kelly, to collect and score.

Taylor couldn’t convert but the Titans had themselves a handy 10-nil lead.

The Bulldogs weren’t giving up. Some quick hands from unwanted star half Kieran Foran sent winger Nick Meaney over to get them on the board. Meaney converted his own try to bring his team within four.

But the Titans answered back almost instantly. In-form halfback Fogarty dummied and slipped through sloppy defence to score and extend the lead to 14-6.

Canterbury had a chance to score a crucial try just before half time but the Bunker refused to give the Dogs a bone. English import Luke Thompson looked to have scored his first NRL try right under the black dot only for it to be ruled a double movement.

Both sides came out of the sheds firing in the second half but it was the Bulldogs who crossed first.

After already setting up their first try, Foran crossed for one of his own.

Then in a devastating turn of events for the 30-year-old, he tore his pec in a tackle just minutes later and taken from the field in what was likely his last game as a Bulldog… possibly even his last NRL game.

Before the Bulldogs could replace Foran, the Titans scored. Returning winger Anthony Don collected a bomb and shoved off an almost try-saver from Meaney.

Foran’s halves partner Lachie Lewis was forced to step up and he did just that. The workhorse No.7 crossed to keep the Bulldogs in the game with nine minutes left on the clock. Jake Averillo took over the goalkicking duties but shanked the conversion.

The carnage continued with destructive prop Dylan Napa suffering a scary-looking knee injury. He assessed by trainers before he left the field.

With just over two minutes left, the Bulldogs lost a crucial attacking opportunity when Kerrod Holland’s foot touched the line followed by a brain fade from Lewis who in the final 50 seconds put up a failed chip kick.

The Titans upped the pressure in the final seconds and escaped with the win.

Source: Fox Sports

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