It was a tale of two halves for the Gold Coast Titans in front of a strong home crowd at Cbus Super Stadium, going down 36-18 to the Sydney Roosters.
Missing key middle men Jaimin Jolliffe and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, the Titans were outmuscled by a Roosters side led by James Tedesco who flew out of the blocks.
Here are the key three talking points out of the game.
Titans fall flat after big month
It has been a big month on the Gold Coast on the back of a mid-season coaching change that has seen Jim Lenihan take the reins for the remainder of season 2023.
Lenihan has led with effort and energy across his first four games and his side has responded with 80-minute performances. Today, it appeared those efforts had caught up with his side as an energetic Roosters side led by their captain, Tedesco, who was back to his elusive best - scoring one try and setting up two more.
The interim coach would have been happy with how his side hung in for the whole game, winning the second half in a small consolation.
Moe Fotuaika keeps on keeping on
He has been relentless in his performances all year and even in a beaten side, Moe Fotuaika never shirked his responsibility today.
Back to his best form in 2023, the Titans prop amassed 197 run metres and 32 tackles in his 64 minutes.
Clearly trying to step up in the void left by the missing Fa'asuamaleaui and Jolliffe, it is this form that saw him return to State of Origin for Queensland this season.
A not so sweet return for Verrills
Sam Verrills said he circled this match when the draw came out at the start of the year, but unfortunately it was not to be a happy return for the Titans rake.
After missing a number of matches early in the season with a recurring left shoulder injury, Verrills had returned to form over the last month on his return.
It was what looked like a right shoulder injury this time that saw him leave the field in the 33rd minute and only return for the last 19 of the game.
He will continue to be monitored throughout the week, but will unfortunately have to wait until 2024 to get another crack at his former side.
The Titans take on the North Queensland Cowboys next in round 22 at Cbus Super Stadium.
