Cop that! Stung Gold Coast halfback Scott Prince responded to his omission from next Wednesday's State of Origin opener in Sydney with an emphatic performance in the Titans' gritty 24-20 win over the Bulldogs at Skilled Park on Friday.
And didn't the thousands of Titans fans waving posters declaring in bold red letters "Scott 4 Origin" love it.
More has been written this week about Prince's Queensland snub than about the Federal budget.
Two magical Prince passes resulted in first half tries to winger Smith Samau (eighth minute) and prop Brad Meyers (13th minute) for an early 10-0 lead.
His sideline conversion of centre Luke O'Dwyer's 23rd minute try gave the Titans a 16-0 before the Dogs roared back late with tries to winger Matt Utai and centre Cameron Phelps reduced the margin to 16-10 at half time.
It took Prince just five minutes to show his class once more -- this time offering the defence a dummy before scoring a try give the Titans a 22-10 lead.
The never-say-die Bulldogs refused to quit.
When hooker Corey Hughes dummied his was over through three defenders in the 53rd minute the Gold Coast's lead was again reduced to six points.
Enter Prince again.
This time his ice cool 30-metre penalty pushed the Titans ahead 24-16 with just over 20 minutes left.
About the only thing that compared with Prince's display tonight was the appearance of a modest male streaker, who covered himself up with a t-shirt, and two females who invaded the field late in the second half.
