NRL: Titans see off Roosters

Clinton Toopi celebrates after scoring for the Titans/ Photo / Getty Images

Gold Coast regained second spot on the NRL ladder and underlined their NRL title credentials with a 23-14 win over the Sydney Roosters in a frantic encounter at the Sydney Football Stadium on Monday.

In a game played at a breathless pace, second-half tries from Bodene Thompson and Clinton Toopi sealed a club-record-equalling fifth straight win for the Titans.

The Titans are now all but guaranteed to host a final at Skilled Park.

But Titans coach John Cartwright refused to get carried away with the result or the performance of his players, and said he is more than happy for his unheralded side to fly under the radar.

"We know we are in the finals and where we finish is up to us," Cartwright said.

"We have the Sharks away and the Tigers at home all in the space of 12 days so a lot of work to do.

"Tonight was really important in cementing our place in the eight and if we win the rest of our games we will be in the top two. But we haven't secured a home final yet, so we are not getting ahead of ourselves.

"I suppose when people say you fly under the radar it means no-one rates you, but I doubt if any of the boys read the Sydney media so we will just get on with what we are doing."

The Roosters' third successive defeat put a huge dent in their hopes of securing a home playoff.

The Roosters play Manly and North Queensland in their last two regular-season games and probably need to win at least one to confirm their place in the finals.

Coach Brian Smith remained upbeat and said there were signs his players can return to their blistering form from last month.

"It wasn't the right result but we did some very good things," Smith said.

"We have got some work to do but I ask our supporters to remember where we were three weeks ago when we were carving it up.

"I have told them (the team) we are still sixth on the ladder and things are in our hands."

The Roosters made a perfect start when the impressive Mitchell Pearce found Braith Anasta in the sixth minute with a swift pass and the Roosters skipper barrelled over from close range.

Two minutes later, Titans back-rower Anthony Laffranchi was placed on report for a lifting tackle on Perrett as Brian Smith's side looked firmly in control of the game.

However, somewhat against the run of play, the Titans got back on level terms in fortuitous fashion in the 12th minute when a kick from Prince bounced horribly to wrong-foot Phil Graham, and Toopi dived over to score.

A try to Kevin Gordon just before the break gave the Titans a 10-6 halftime lead.

The second half began in a similar fashion as the Roosters scored early with a Shaun Kenny-Dowall try to level the scores after Pearce had linked up well with Mitch Aubusson.

But the home side were unable to create any real momentum and the turning point of the game came in the 57th minute when Perrett was punished for some sloppy handling just in front of his own posts, and Thompson pounced to score.

Then William Zillman picked up a Todd Carney grubber-kick in his own in-goal area and powered down field to set up Toopi's second try and suddenly the Titans were 22-10 up.

A Scott Prince field goal clinched victory before Anthony Minichiello joined Bill Mullins (104) as the only Rooster in history to score 100 tries.