Gold Coast Titans produced a wonderful display to down the Manly Sea Eagles, 42-24, this afternoon down at Brookvale Oval for their fourth straight success.
Today was the most points scored by the Gold Coast Titans side since their admission in 2007. It was another reminder of the talent which is already in the side, shown by fullback AJ Brimson, centre Young Tonumaipea and halfback Jamal Fogarty that is furnished by the big signings for 2021.
Brimson has made the fullback position his own since his return. He scored twice today, set up another and was judged Man of the Match in the dominant performance. One noticeable aspect of their attack was the settled nature of the spine - Brimson himself, Ash Taylor and Fogarty all had hands in their eight tries at Brookvale.
Going into 2021, there is a renewed sense of optimism for the Gold Coast. Four games won in a row, some big signings coming in the off-season and Justin Holbrook seems to have the side dancing to the beat. The Titans will finish 2020 as the highest ranked Queensland side and might be short odds to retain that title in 2021.
After conceding early, the Titans hit the gas. Brimson and Tonumaipea gave the Sea Eagles defense headaches alongside a tip-toe effort from mid-season transfer Corey Thompson to head into the break, up 22-12.
Young backrower Sam Stone extended their lead right after the break, then the Titans ran riot. Newly re-signed captain Kevin Proctor crossed followed by Brimson's second then centre Tremain Spry put the Titans past 40 points and a club record total for the league's newest franchise.
Sea Eagles scored first through Jack Gosiewski and fellow front rower Taniela Paseka crossed in the first 40 but the Sea Eagles were off the boil. Passes went to ground, DCE directed passes to the opposition and there was a concerted effort to get the returned Tom Trbojevic involved.
Trbojevic didn't finish his return game. The star fullback who has become the Sea Eagles most valuable player left the field with a shoulder stinger with 10 minutes left. He looked bright in attack but was slightly behind the pace and it effected the Eagles attack.
One player who continues to impress for the Sea Eagles, Curtis Sironen kept going for the full contest. He created the break which saw DCE score and was best on-ground for the well beaten Sea Eagles.