The Canberra Raiders' horror run of close losses has continued and coach Ricky Stuart says their response could define them as contenders or pretenders.
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The Raiders coughed up an 18-point lead to lose their season opener against the Gold Coast Titans 30-28 in front of 10238 fans at Robina Stadium on Sunday night.
Titans centre Konrad Hurrell swooped on an Ash Taylor grubber to score under the posts, before Michael Gordon added the extras inside the final 90 seconds to drive a dagger into green hearts.
But the platform had been laid long before then as the Raiders failed to recover from having three sets in 20 minutes during the second half, finishing with just 40 per cent of possession.
The Titans trailed 18-0 after just 12 minutes but snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to continue Canberra's woes in close games - the Raiders lost eight games by six points or less in 2017.
Rookie Titans coach Garth Brennan came as a package deal with a mountain of possession to ruin Stuart's 100th game in charge of the Green Machine.
"If a team is going to get you that's where they'll get you. We had three sets of six in 20 minutes and one of those was an error," Stuart said.
"It sounds all coach-talk and scientific, but if you don't have the football, it's too hard. Three sets in 20 minutes in that second half made it really difficult.
"For us to get back and be in the lead, it replicates what I know of the players. We're a very tough, resilient bunch of players and this happened to us a number of times last year, but [Sunday night] was different.
"Possession was the indicator and it's a bit of a kick and hope that they score off. Last year there was individuals that probably needed to make better choices in their football to close out games.
"It's important how we handle that now emotionally to get back on the horse and go again."
Raiders captain Jarrod Croker could face more head injury assessments during the week after he was barrelled over by Hurrell in the first half, but he is expected to recover as the Green Machine search for their first W.
Stuart's decision to give Siliva Havili first crack at the vacant No. 9 jersey proved an inspired choice as the Tongan international filled Josh Hodgson's boots with aplomb.
The golden-toothed rake had played just 24 top grade games in his first three seasons but the 25-year-old looked like a seasoned first grader in his Raiders debut.
The Raiders were out-running the clock with tries to Havili, fullback Jack Wighton and lock Elliott Whitehead in the opening 12 minutes, with Titans captain Ryan James admitting all they could do was "hold on".
But the Titans came surging back in the second half thanks to a swathe of penalties given away by an ill-disciplined Canberra outfit.
Brennan admits his side was "star struck" in the opening exchanges but he didn't unload on them at the break despite a perceived lack of effort.
"What we get out of that, is we get a bit of belief," Brennan said.
"A bit of belief in ourselves that no matter what the scoreboard is, if we keep working hard... then things can change and things can turn and you can get results out of it."
The Raiders now look to right the wrongs against the Newcastle Knights at Canberra Stadium next week.
They would do well to heed the advice of Titans coach Brennan to bury the demons of round one - "this competition is a tough one, it's not a sprint race, it's a marathon and it's back on again next week".
AT A GLANCE
NRL: Round one - GOLD COAST TITANS 30 (Kevin Proctor, Kane Elgey, Phillip Sami, Dale Copley, Konrad Hurrell tries; Michael Gordon 5 goals) bt CANBERRA RAIDERS 28 (Siliva Havili, Jack Wighton, Elliott Whitehead, Junior Paulo, Joey Leilua tries; Jarrod Croker 3, Aidan Sezer goals) at Robina Stadium. Crowd: 10238.
