Titans v Broncos preview

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Gold Coast Titans v Brisbane Broncos Saturday 3:00pm at Cbus Super Stadium, Robina / Yugambeh

The Titans look to get another win over their "big brother", the Broncos, after already beating them earlier this season in Round 12. 

The Titans made a second half comeback last week against the Dolphins to win 21-14, with Kieran Foran icing a field goal in the 73rd minute to put the Gold Coast side ahead by seven points. This marks the Titans seventh win of the season where they sit in 14th place and on equal number of points with the Broncos.  

The starting seventeen are the same for the home side, with AJ Brimson a possible late inclusion being named on the reserves list and Jaiman Jollife named as 18th man after suffering a pectoral injury earlier in the season. 

After an almost fairy-tale finish in 2023, the Broncos seem to be suffering a season in hell with just about nothing going their way. Brisbane suffered their seventh loss in their past eight games last week against the Bulldogs, which leaves them in 13th place and the chance of making finals quickly fading away. 

Walters has made some slight changes in the side, with Corey Oates returning on the wing in place of Selwyn Cobbo. Brendan Piakura also returns after missing last week's match, which forces Kobe Hetherington back on the bench. 

These two sides previously met in Round 12, when the Titans found themselves in 16th and the Broncos in 5th, not many would have predicted that that match would be the start of the Broncos slump, and that the Titans would go on the beat Brisbane and then won four of their following seven games after having a rough start to the season. 

Overall, the Broncos have a better head-to-head record winning two thirds of the 36 games these two teams have played, however the Titans have won their past two matches against the Brisbane side. 

Last meeting: Round 12 2024 - Broncos 34 Titans 36

Who to watch: All eyes on the youthful speedy fullbacks this week. 

Rookie Keano Kini has been the Titans starting fullback since Round 10 and within his twelves games this year he has scored three tries, made four try assists, seven line breaks and 51 tackle breaks. 

Opposite Kini is the Broncos speedster, Reece Walsh, who has also made twelves appearances, where he has had six try assists, 54 tackle breaks and twelve line breaks, as well as scored twelves of his own tries. However, despite these stats in attack, Walsh is known to struggle defensively which has been highlighted numerous times and is something that should be improved upon if the Broncos want any chance of making finals.

FAVOURITE: Somehow the Broncos are still favoured to get the win… (To those playing along at home they have been consistently favoured for months where they have continued to lose) 

MY TIP: Brisbane playing the Titans in the daylight (both bad records for the Brisbane side) screams all bad news to me and is quite literally a disaster waiting to happen. Both sides are fighting to keep their season alive and unless the Broncos take a harsh look at themselves and make change, they are staring down a painful barrel right now. As much as I hate to say this, I think the Titans will come out on top and do a number on the Broncos. Titans by 14.

1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 18. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 10. Erin Clark 14. Isaac Liu 15. Klese Haas 17. Josiah Pahulu 21. Tanah Boyd

1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Blake Mozer 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Xavier Willison 17. Martin Taupau 18. Josiah Karapani

Referees: Peter Gough; Sideline Officials: Daniel Schwass, Jarrod Cole; Video Referees: Wyatt Raymond;