Brennan says threat of board review didn't jolt players

Titans coach Garth Brennan thinks the crux of upsetting Manly at home to the tune of 36-18 came from a growing frustration at their losses rather than a response to the Gold Coast board calling for a review of the club's football department.

"I just think they were determined to get a result tonight," Brennan said, after his team scored a solid seven tries to three victory.

"As far as the board, the reviews, and the decisions this week, that's not a news flash to us. That's the industry we're in. I'm a coach and I'm judged on my results – I'm fully aware of that.

"I think tonight it was 'enough is enough' from the players – we've got to stand up and play for 80 minutes and I think that was more the driving force than what's been said in the media."

Brennan pointed to his five-eighth Tyrone Roberts with his two tries, two line breaks two try assists as worthy of special mention.

"I thought Tyrone Roberts was enormous tonight in the way he took control of the team.

"When you've got a half who's in the zone like Tyrone did tonight, I thought Ash [Taylor] did the right thing and just supported him, backed him up with what he needed.

"I don't think Ash was poor… he just did his job really well and let Tyrone really take control."

Taylor has been under the microscope for most of the season for fading in and out of games.

Last week in the loss to the Bulldogs he was tackled with the ball in his hands at the end of the set. Against Manly he passed to Kevin Proctor for a hit-up and then called to his outside men for the next play, but again the set was over and Taylor had miscounted the tackles.

But in the 60th minute Taylor sent a superb 25-metre pass out to an unmarked Daly Copley for the Titans fifth try.

"He's a talented footballer, we all know that. That will do his confidence the world of good," Brennan said.

"He's battled injuries this year and I've supported him. I know he's been criticised but we're working really hard with Ash. That performance, that pass he put in tonight, the fact he controlled things fairly well when required to, will give him confidence."

The Titans were without lock Jai Arrow (quadricep) but Brennan said Gold Coast medical staff felt the back rower would be right to play Origin for Queensland in 12 days time.

"And I really hope so for Jai's sake  as he's worked really hard and deserves those rewards."

Brennan also singled out prop Moeaki Fotuaika, who played 58 minutes, made 21 runs for 207 metres with 91 post-contact metres.

"Wow. He played 45 minutes straight. He was the only one to play that amount straight and he's a 19-year-old front-rower. That's enormous," Brennan said.

"In some sets he was having two or three carries and that's fantastic. We've got some super kids here at our club.

"Look at Jai Whitbread as well. He's 21 and another Gold Coast junior who is working really hard. He was great starting in the middle against two fairly intimidating front rowers (Martin Taupau and Addin Fonua-Blake).

"I don't think there was a poor player in our team. I thought they all contributed.

"It was an 80-minute performance – that was the most pleasing thing. It's our best performance of the year so far."