Semi-final pain fires up Titans

ANTHONY Laffranchi wants to reward the Titans fans by bringing a semi-final to Skilled Park this year and the only way to guarantee that is with a win over the Wests Tigers tomorrow night.

Having lost a home semi-final against the Broncos last year, before bowing out of the competition with a loss to Parramatta, a home semi-final would be the perfect opportunity for the Gold Coast side to make history with a first finals win.

In his Laffranch-ly Speaking column today, the Titans second rower said last year's straight sets exit had not been forgotten and bringing a final back to Robina would mean a lot.

“We haven't spoken about it as a team, but I am sure the way we bowed out of the finals in straight sets last year is in the back of everyone's minds and personally I am very disappointed in the way it happened,” he said.

Laffranchi will be back in Titans colours for the vital encounter, after a week off with a shoulder injury.

Laffranchi said the Titans were looking to control the ruck much better than they did against Cronulla last week to limit the options given to Tigers' game-breakers Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah.

“You never know what Benji is going to throw at you, I don't even think Benji knows what he is doing half the time. What you can do is limit his options and cut down his time with the ball, that is what we are focusing on.”