Des-aster! Broncos celebrate Reyno's 300th in style as pressure builds on Hasler

NRL24
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Brisbane Broncos v Gold Coast Titans

The Brisbane Broncos have celebrated Adam Reynolds' 300th game in style, dominating the Gold Coast Titans 44-14 at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night to heap pressure on under-fire coach Des Hasler.

The Broncos were wearing special blackout mental health jerseys, which were designed in collaboration with their Charity Partner Black Dog Institute, as they bounced back in style from a last-start loss to Manly.

It was Brisbane's fourth-straight defeat and as much as Hasler is the man under the most scrutiny given he is the more likely to lose his job mid-season, expectations were much higher of Michael Maguire in his first season at Red Hill.

Saturday night, like their comprehensive win over the Bulldogs, was just another reminder of what this Broncos team is capable of when they put it all together, although a sloppy second half also proved they still have a way to go.

There was an injury blow to come out of the game for the hosts too, with Ben Te Kura finishing in a moon boot after suffering an ankle issue.

It could have been far worse after Reece Walsh appeared to reaggravate his knee injury late in the game.

Walsh played on and even scored a quick-fire double to ease any concerns, but it was the last thing Maguire wanted to see in the Broncos fullback's first game back from the injury.

Speaking of Walsh, he made an instant impact in his return from injury, firing a missile to Gehamat Shibasaki for the opening try on the very first set of the game.

A powering Kotoni Staggs run put Brisbane deep in Gold Coast territory on that set, and it was a sign of what was to come from the Broncos centre, who had 126 metres and seven tackle busts in the first half alone.

The Broncos extended their lead in the 11th minute as Patrick Carrigan popped a late offload for Corey Jensen and they quickly made it three tries soon after as Staggs soared onto a Reynolds bomb. 

The floodgates had well and truly opened by that point as Ezra Mam put Brendan Piakura through a hole, with Shibasaki trailing in support for his second and the Broncos almost went over again on the ensuing set after points, only for Jordan Riki to spill the ball in a tackle as he closed in on the try line.

But it didn't take long for Brisbane to push the halftime lead out to 28-0 as another monster carry from Staggs off a quick tap ended with Josiah Karapani scoring in his first NRL game this year.

It was all the Broncos in the first half and while the home side had plenty of chances to push ahead early in the second, ill-discipline and cheap turnovers saw the Titans get onto the board first through Alofiana Khan-Pereira.

Just as the Gold Coast looked to be making some form of a comeback, Broncos hooker Billy Walters kicked a 40/20 to win back momentum for Brisbane and a cut-out pass from Mam saw Karapani score his second.

Khan-Pereira bagged a double of his own as Brian Kelly slipped a late offload for the Titans flyer, capping off a respectable second half for the visitors considering how dire the first 40 minutes were.

Walsh though put an exclamation mark on the win with a late double before Arama Hau went over for a late consolation try. 

The Broncos enter next week's bye full of confidence while the Titans host the Sea Eagles.

Brisbane Broncos 44 - Gold Coast Titans 14

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal
Crowd: 39884
Halftime Score: Brisbane Broncos 28 Gold Coast Titans 0

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Kotoni Staggs
2 points - Patrick Carrigan
1 points - Brendan Piakura

BRISBANE BRONCOS (44)
Tries: Gehamat Shibasaki (2), Corey Jensen, Kotoni Staggs, Josiah Karapani (2), Reece Walsh (2)
Field Goals:
Two Point Field Goals:
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (6/8)
Penalty Goals:

GOLD COAST TITANS (14)
Tries: Alofiana Khan-Pereira (2), Arama Hau
Field Goals:
Two Point Field Goals:
Conversions: Jayden Campbell (1/3)
Penalty Goals:


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