It was far from pretty or convincing but Gold Coast winger Anthony Don believes the Titans' scrappy win over Cronulla was just what they need ahead of Friday's NRL derby against Brisbane.
The Titans pinched a 24-22 victory over the Sharks last weekend on the back of a James Roberts' intercept in the final five minutes, the zippy centre's second try of the game.
It was Gold Coast's first win of the year and Don says the mood is good as the team prepares to welcome in-form rivals Brisbane to their Robina base on Friday night.
"The last few weeks we've had a few close losses and they've hurt all the boys very much," Don said on Monday.
"It was very good going to Cronulla and getting the win.
"It's got the monkey off our back now and can give us confidence going forward. We didn't play the perfect game but at the end of the day we got the two points and that's all we went to Cronulla to get."
Roberts' double means the youngster has now scored 20 tries in 32 NRL appearances.
The Titans took a gamble on the 22-year-old after he was sacked by both South Sydney and Penrith for off-field indiscretions but Don says he brings an X-factor to the club which is irreplaceable.
Having played 16 matches straight for the Titans since his debut for them last year, Roberts has become the side's game-breaker, a role Don said he played to perfection against the Sharks.
"It's the type of player you need in those close situations," he said.
"Jimmy's scored two tries and it was a one-on-one rake for the other try. So he's had a hand in all three tries.
"If Jimmy wasn't there doing those plays we might not have won. It's awesome having him in our team, someone you can always throw the ball too and hope he comes up with a magic play."
Don is also not completely believing reports out of the Broncos that captain Justin Hodges will be unavailable due to a hamstring injury.
The Queensland and Australia veteran limped off during the Broncos' 24-16 win over the Warriors in Auckland on Sunday but Don says until he's officially ruled out the Titans are expecting the 32-year-old to line up.
"We're going to prepare like he's playing," Don said.
"If he doesn't play that's a bonus for us because he brings a lot of experience to the team, he's an Origin great and he's represented Australia.
"It'd be a big loss for them but I'm sure they'll have someone that can fill in.
"They're going really well too ... it's going to be a good match. We're going to have to be better than we were (against the Sharks) to beat them."
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