Opinion

After round 15, the wooden spoon goes to…

20 Jun 22, 10:48AM 0 Comments

Written by Oliver Kellner-Dunk

Photo by Getty Images

Last week the Gold Coast Titans reclaimed the unfortunate title of wooden spoon contenders when they were defeated by the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

This led to them sliding to last place on the NRL ladder after the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs thrashed the Parramatta Eels.

The Titans last won the wooden spoon in 2019 and in the two years following looked to be building to a bright future finishing in ninth and eighth on the ladder in 2020 and 2021 respectively.

It seemed the Titans were set to make back-to-back finals series for the first time in 12 years this season but they have instead regressed horribly.

Despite an improved effort against the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks on Saturday afternoon they still lost 18-10 and could not finish the round above 16th as fellow spoon contenders the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs won by a huge margin for the second straight week.

One of the few shining lights in Justin Holbrook’s side this season has been captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui who reassured Titans fans that he is committed to the club and is dedicated to improving their poor form.

“I hate losing,” said Fa’asuamaleaui.

“Anyone who plays footy should hate it too.

“That’s something I really want to change at the club.

 
“Hopefully in the future, we are like the Storm and the losses don’t happen as often.

“That’s why I’m at the Titans for a long time.

“I really want to be the one that changes that.

“I signed at the Titans for a long time because I want to be the one that changes that (losing culture).

“That’s what I am really motivated about. Hopefully we can work hard enough so that in the future it doesn’t happen.”

Right now the Titans are the NRL’s worst team but there is another who could occupy the bottom spot on the ladder and the wooden spoon favourites title shortly as the New Zealand Warriors have dropped to 15th and have the competition’s worst for and against.

Both sides have a much-needed bye coming up shortly and don’t face each other again until the final round of the season, but the way things are looking it could end up the game that decides the wooden spoon.

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