A 14-10 victory by the Titans over the Broncos at Skilled Park in Round 20 last season proved a highlight in an otherwise depressing year on the Gold Coast. The controversial victory – secured off the back of an eight-point try to Luke Bailey after he copped a punch to the head while scoring – showed what the Titans were truly capable of when they worked as a team.
Statistically, it was all the Broncos but the Titans would not be denied. Brisbane dominated a host of key stats categories, including possession (52-48 per cent) and metres gained (1642 metres to 1479 metres) but the determination of the home side secured them a victory. The Titans completed 82 per cent of their sets and committed just six errors in an ultra-disciplined performance.
For the Gold Coast, a host of players proved influential in the strong team performance, with fullback William Zillman (212 metres), winger David Mead (107 metres), back-rowers Nate Myles (112 metres), Mark Minichiello (132 metres) and Luke O’Dwyer (110 metres) and interchange forward Matthew White (114 metres) all making huge inroads.
Despite their clear possession dominance and quality field position, the Broncos were poor in attack and rarely threatened the Titans’ line. It was a committed and gutsy performance by the Gold Coast as they made a belated move to within one win of the top eight.