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 Tilse recovery adds weight to Furner's options 

Tilse recovery adds weight to Furner's options

13 Apr, 2009 01:00 AM
Canberra Raiders coach David Furner could unleash one of the biggest forward packs in the NRL if he brings prop Dane Tilse into his side for Friday's clash with the Gold Coast Titans at Skilled Park.

Tilse made a successful return from an ankle injury for Queensland Cup side Souths Logan on Saturday night, at the same time fellow front-rower Troy Thompson was returning from a knee injury in the Raiders' 10-point win over Cronulla.

With Scott Logan also on deck after recovering from an ankle injury and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs nearing top form having returned from suspension in round two, Furner now has the luxury of five 110kg-plus forwards to choose from for the Titans clash.

It is a long way from round one, when he had just one heavyweight front-rower David Shillington at his disposal.

And Shillington believes Furner should take all of his big men into the clash with a Titans pack led by veteran NSW prop Luke Bailey.

''Having all of us combined will be good for us against the Titans, because they've got a really good forward pack,'' Shillington said.

''People like Josh Miller and Trev Thurling do a good job in the front-row, but when someone a bit bigger like Logan comes in it really helps.

''He's got good body positioning when he gets to the line and he gets through the line and gets quick play-the-balls all the time.

''Having someone like that to work with, I can run off the back of him and he can run off the back of me.

''When we combine I think we're a lot more effective as a forward pack.''

The Raiders have looked a much better side since Logan's return two weeks ago.

His combination with Shillington and Learoyd-Lahrs gave the Raiders a clear advantage in wins over the Cowboys and Sharks.

Their dominance has allowed halves Terry Campese and Marc Herbert far more time and space to attack, something Raiders captain Alan Tongue said made a huge difference on the field.

''In the first couple of games teams probably played a more rushing-style defence on us and Campo and Herby seemed to get the ball out the back and didn't have that much room to play with,'' Tongue said.

''To have the big fellas back really sets the platform for us.''

Tilse helped Souths Logan to a 32-12 win over a Sunshine Coast team boasting Manly prop George Rose.

''I felt a bit unfit after six weeks out, but I got through the game alright, that was what I was mainly after with my ankle,'' Tilse said.

Back-rower Glen Turner could also come into contention for a return this week if he recovers from a groin injury.

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