Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler are predicting a wild shootout when the Titans host the Wests Tigers to launch round 15, with dynamic fullback AJ Brimson back in the line-up for the home team and both sides building a reputation for lethal attack but leaky defence.
Discussing the match for Wide World of Sports Freddy and the Eighth’s Tips, Johns said it “could be a 48-46” scoreline.
“It’ll be an entertaining game, this’ll be a good game, there won’t be much defence,” added Johns.
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Both Johns and Fittler were leaning towards the Titans, partly due to the return of Brimson, who has missed the last four matches with a hamstring injury.
While Brimson will add to the side’s attack, the lethal left edge combination of Kieran Foran and David Fifita will be absent, with Foran nursing a foot injury and Fifita experiencing delayed concussion symptoms.
Although those absences will take away some of the Titans’ firepower, it’s the other side of the ball that will undoubtedly be a huge focus for under pressure coach Justin Holbrook, with his side leaking 335 points so far this season at the alarming average of almost 28 per game.
Despite sitting four points behind them on the ladder, the Tigers have been significantly more stingy, giving up 264 points at an average of 22 points per game.
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Holbrook is out of contract at the end of next season, making every match for the rest of this season a potential future clincher.
Fittler, who knows what it’s like to sit on the coaching hot seat acknowledged that Holbrook would be feeling the pressure.
“He hasn’t signed yet for [after] next year, Justin Holbrook, so they need to win for their coach,” Fittler said.
Scroll below for the current leaderboard and Round 15 tips by all Nine’s expert tipsters!
Andrew Johns: Titans, Raiders, Sea Eagles, Dragons, Knights, Roosters, Storm, Bulldogs
Brad Fittler: Titans, Raiders, Sea Eagles, Dragons, Broncos, Roosters, Storm, Eels
Ruan Sims: Tigers, Raiders, Dolphins, Rabbitohs, Broncos, Panthers, Storm, Dogs
Wally Lewis: Tigers, Raiders, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs, Broncos, Panthers, Storm, Eels
Allana Ferguson: Titans, Raiders, Dolphins, Rabbitohs, Broncos, Panthers, Storm, Eels
Danika Mason: Titans, Raiders, Dolphins, Rabbitohs, Broncos, Roosters, Storm, Bulldogs
Paul Gallen: Tigers, Raiders, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs, Broncos, Roosters, Sharks, Eels
Darren Lockyer: Titans, Raiders, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs, Broncos, Roosters, Storm, Bulldogs
David Middleton: Titans, Raiders, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs, Broncos, Panthers, Storm, Eels
James Bracey: Tigers, Raiders, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs, Broncos, Panthers, Storm, Bulldogs
Billy Slater: Titans, Raiders, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs, Broncos, Roosters, Storm, Eels
Mat Thompson: Titans, Raiders, Manly, Dragons, Broncos, Panthers, Sharks, Bulldogs
Ben Glover: Tigers, Raiders, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs, Broncos, Panthers, Storm, Eels
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