Returning fullback AJ Brimson and David Fifita starred as the Gold Coast Titans humiliated the Canberra Raiders 44-6 at GIO Stadium.
The temperature plummeted to three degrees in Canberra during the match and the Raiders remained ice-cold throughout, losing their sixth fixture on home turf this year.
The Titans bounced back from losing four games in a row to stay in touch with the top eight.
Brimson returned from a knee injury to make more than 150 running metres, Sami logged 185m and Fifita was a powerhouse, albeit with a spell in the sin bin for late contact on Raiders half Sam Williams.
Jamal Fogarty scored a try and had six conversions.
After losing nine of their past 11 games and with their season on the line, the Raiders were embarrassed in front of meagre crowd of 7,646.
Titans coach Justin Holbrook was delighted with his side’s return to form and the the return of playmaker Brimson.
“It was terrific having him back, absolutely – just having AJ back, Corey Thomson (was) brilliant again, and Proctor.
“It was an extremely important game for us tonight to get the two points and play as well as we did, we will get a bit of credit back from our own club and our own fans.”
Canberra captain Jarrod Croker highlighted his side’s ineptitude when he fumbled the ball in the Titans end zone to allow centre Brian Kelly scored an easy try in the 46th minute.
The blow-out was heightened by Canberra missing an astounding 65 tackles during the match.
The Titans lead 22-0 at halftime, running in three quick tries just before the break despite Fifita being in the sin bin for a chunk of that time.
Brimson was impressive, laying on a sweet pass for Proctor to score in 31st minute, Moeaki Fotuaika dotted down four minutes later and Fogarty picked up a remarkable four-pointer in the 38th minute after taking the ball from dummy half and crossing the line without any defensive pressure by the Raiders.
Things got no better in the second half as the visitors laid on another four tries, the Raiders’ consolation coming in the 56th minute when Williams scored his side’s lone four-pointer in his 100th match.
“Embarrassed” Stuart forecasts changes
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said it was a bitterly disappointing loss.
“We were outplayed – it’s very disappointing and I’m as embarrassed as everyone,” said Stuart, who indicated new faces would be in the side next week.
“We haven’t got enough players playing well. It’s happened all year – a high majority of our players aren’t playing a good game of football.”
“I’m as embarrassed as anybody in regards to these poor people who come out here and brave these conditions and watch us play, and we play like that.
“I feel very sorry for our loyal supporters, we’re a shadow of ourselves and where we want to be.”
Stuart also hinted at some changes for next Thursday night’s clash against Manly.
“I’ve got to find some energy; the only way to find energy is with new faces,” he said.
AAP
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