Tino Fa'asuamaleaui could be in danger of missing the State of Origin opener, with the Titans second-rower placed on report during Sunday's disappointing loss to Canterbury.
Gold Coast once again managed to bungle a half-time lead for the fourth time this season, giving up a 14-0 advantage at the break to fall short 20-18 against the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium.
Following a second-half capitulation last weekend against the Knights and similar efforts against the Broncos and Dolphins earlier in the year, there is a clear pattern building for the side.
Speaking to the media after the game, Titans coach Justin Holbrook pointed to a litany of individual errors that continue to plague the inconsistent outfit on a week-to-week basis.
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“[I am] really disappointed and feel awful… that’s the way I’m feeling," he said.
"Again, we found a way to not win a game. You don’t lead 14-0 and not know what you’re doing. We’re just finding ways to come unstuck and we did it again.
"If you don’t watch the game, you would say ‘two points, must have been close’ – but the way I was seeing it, we were in complete control of the game and we didn’t win it.
“Individually we’re just getting things wrong in the second-half and going away from what’s working and it’s affecting us, and that’s the part we’ve got to fix.
"We’ve got too many guys getting one thing wrong in the second-half… if we just stick to having a clear mind on what’s needed, we will be winning those games in the future.
"We’re individually getting caught off-guard."
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui facing nervous wait ahead of Origin opener
Maroons coach Billy Slater and the whole state of Queensland are facing a nervous wait, with one of their most important players potentially in trouble for two separate incidents.
Fa'asuamaleaui was placed on report by on-field official Chris Butler during the Titans' narrow defeat for a dangerous throw on Tevita Pangai Junior.
“There was no malice in it," Fa'asuamaleaui said.
"I was just trying to do an old-school tackle and get underneath him and it just came off wrong."
Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney shot out of the line to make a tackle on the Queensland star, but copped a stray forearm to the face that saw him sent for a HIA.
Braith Anasta and Greg Alexander both condemned the move from the Gold Coast skipper and questioned how the incident didn't lead to a penalty for the hosts.
But according to Fa'asuamaleaui, there shouldn't be an issue as far as the judiciary is concerned ahead of the opening Origin game on May 31st.
“It’s a contact sport," he said.
"I’m running as hard as I can and Reed is getting off the line as hard as he can. He’s half my size, so obviously it’s going to be hard not to get into his shoulder or whatever is in front of his face.
"I’m just glad he got back on the field."
Fa'asuamaleaui found an unlikely ally in the post-game press conference, with fellow Queenslander Mahoney throwing his support behind the 23-year-old.
“I’m all good, I just copped a knock and it probably looked a lot worse than what it was," he said.
"Tino is just trying to get his team forward and it looked like his elbow hit my jaw, but I don’t think there was anything in it.
"There was no intent of him trying to target my head – it was probably more my fault than his fault.
"I don’t think there was anything wrong with it… he should get off."
