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Foran injury blow as hot Titans spine sinks Dolphins

Joel GouldAAP
Gold Coast's Kieran Foran has vowed to bounce back even if he needs surgery. (Zain Mohammed/AAP PHOTOS)
Camera IconGold Coast's Kieran Foran has vowed to bounce back even if he needs surgery. (Zain Mohammed/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP

Gold Coast veteran Kieran Foran has been injured as the Titans spine sizzled in a 26-18 victory over the Dolphins in Redcliffe, but the champion playmaker has vowed he will bounce back even from a worst-case prognosis.

Foran, who came off the bench in Saturday's game, left the field late in the first half and ice was applied to the biceps area. He will go for scans to determine the extent of the injury.

The 34-year-old has had 17 surgeries in 17 years, the latest on an ankle in the recent off-season. He is ready to tackle a possible 18th.

"It won't be the end of me," Foran said.

"I am committed to this year and I am sticking strong to that. If it is worst-case scenario and it is surgery, I will get that done and knuckle down with my rehab and attack the back end of the year.

"I've got pretty good at dealing with these setbacks, so I'll just wait until I get a scan, hopefully tomorrow, and I'll see the damage."At this stage it is looking like a bicep."The Dolphins also have concerns, with new recruit prop Daniel Saifiti suffering a hamstring injury in the seventh minute. Winger Jack Bostock will also go for scans on a knee injury sustained in the second half.

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The Titans' new halves pairing Jayden Campbell and AJ Brimson were on fire, while hooker Sam Verrills was crafty and fullback Keano Kini at his electric best.

"They were super. I thought the 9, 7, 6 and 1 were outstanding," Foran said.

Coach Des Hasler is set to run out that combination in the NRL, and he would have been licking his lips after this display.

"Jayden Campbell looks like a genuine No.7," former Brisbane coach and champion playmaker Kevin Walters said in Fox League commentary.

Campbell set up Brimson with a burst and grubber in the first half, before Brimson scooted 40m for his second after the break.

Kini started the match the same way he ended last year, with the Titans' player of the year in typical livewire form to score the game's first try.

He also set up a try with a grubber that was brilliantly snaffled by David Fifita, who flicked it to Jojo Fifita for a try.

Verrills looked in fine fettle and a slick ball provided Beau Fermor with a try.

The Dolphins welcomed back lock Tom Gilbert for his first game in a year after an ACL rupture. Gilbert was solid in a 30-minute hit-out and had ice on his knee after his stint, but it is understood he was not injured.

The Dolphins were sloppy and have plenty to work on, but did show glimpses of decent form. The highlight was a burst by second-rower Max Plath that set up Jake Averillo for a try.

New recruit Kulifefu Finefeuiaki put on several huge hits, while veteran prop Mark Nicholls impressed and scored a try.

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