NRL: Red-faced over Rogers show

Mat Rogers. Photo / Getty Images

The limelight proved almost as awkward as his hip injury for Mat Rogers when the Gold Coast Titans beat the Wests Tigers to ensure a home final in the NRL.

Rogers, the dual league and union international who is retiring at the end of the season, was mildly embarrassed by more than 60 family and friends turning up to support him, but he had better get used to it - he will do it all again this week.

By rights, Rogers should not have played the regular season finale - but the Titans were sure glad he did. Oh, and the packed Skilled Park stadium which doubled as a Rogers family reunion were appreciative too.

Restricted by a hip flexor complaint, Rogers still stepped up with an injury cloud hanging over captain Scott Prince to help inspire the thrilling win. Overcoming injury to take on the in-form Wests Tigers with a top four finish on the line was tough - but it paled in comparison to what the 34-year-old dealt with before the game.

A huge week promoting Rogers' regular season finale was a big enough distraction - but it got interesting when more than 60 family and friends arrived on the Gold Coast.

"I have been a bit overwhelmed," Rogers said. "All my family are here. It's a bit like a wedding."

Rogers is still on track to finally avoid the bridesmaid tag before he bows out at season's end. However, the veteran pivot promised the Titans' next Skilled Park game would be without all the hoopla of Friday night, no matter how much he appreciated it.

"I just want to be low maintenance for this team," Rogers said. "Being the oldest guy here, the last thing I want is for the 'Mat Rogers Show' to take over what we are trying to achieve. I didn't want that to happen this week, I think we managed it pretty well.

"But that is all behind us now - now it is time to play semifinal football."

A "busted" Rogers typified the Titans' courage after Brad Meyers (ribs), Ash Harrison (broken nose) and Steve Michaels (shoulder) came off to receive treatment in the bruising clash.

"They were game-ending injuries but we had to keep them on," Titans coach John Cartwright said.

Then there was Prince - the Titans playmaker ran off clutching his shoulder in the 17th minute after being tackled awkwardly. Rogers took over at halfback and kicked what would become a pivotal field goal.

After receiving the "magic touch" to his damaged AC joint, Prince came back in the second half to help hold out a fast-finishing Wests Tigers.

The Titans' injury list already included Luke Bailey (broken thumb) and Preston Campbell (hamstring), although the latter will be available next week.

While Cartwright said they would "lick their wounds" before assessing players, Rogers believed nothing would stop their walking wounded from playing finals footy.

Certainly Rogers wasn't finished with yet: "It's hard to move, cough and sneeze," Rogers smiled.

"It's not real pleasant. But I have plenty of time to heal in a few weeks' time."

- AAP