There's a distinct feeling the tide has well and truly turned in these "big v little brother" encounters in south-east Queensland.

Although the Broncos still lead the 30 career meetings with the Titans 20-10, the Gold Coast is scoring an average 22 points per game this year - the Broncos just 12. They halved that again in a hefty 46-6 loss to the Eels last round.

The Titans have won five of their past seven games against the Broncos, including a 28-12 victory at Cbus Stadium in round two this year. 

True, the Titans have only three wins in 2021 compared with one to the Broncos but the gulf in quality between the sides is much wider than four competition points. 

And Justin Holbrook, not Kevin Walters, has David Fifita in his ranks. Fifita scored twice against his old club in March and since then has scored two hat-tricks.

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The rundown

Team news

Broncos: Anthony Milford and Tyson Gamble replace Tom Dearden and Brodie Croft in the halves while Jesse Arthars returns from illness in place of David Mead in the centres.

Tesi Niu dropped off the extended bench on game day, with John Asiata the 18th man. Mead and Croft were the two players left out 24 hours before kick-off.

The Broncos have failed to score a point in their past four second halves.

Titans: Anthony Don returns from a hip injury on the wing, while new recruit Herman Ese'ese finally looks set to make his club debut after a seven-game wait via the bench. 

Beau Fermor replaces Erin Clark on the bench, with Clark the 18th man and Tanah Boyd dropping off the reserves list on game day.

Jai Whitbread and Darius Farmer were left out on the eve of the match.

The Titans have won five of their past seven games against the Broncos.

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Key match-up

Anthony Milford v Ash Taylor: Opposing five-eighths Milford and Taylor know plenty about copping the brunt of their team's losses and dealing with criticism. Milford was banished to Intrust Super Cup to 'find himself' and is back for another crack at engineering a Broncos win.

Seeing the gaps and putting teammates through them is something Taylor is doing better well at the moment. He had three line-break assists against the Rabbitohs last weekend. He also has forced four line drop-outs in five games this year.

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Stat attack

It's all about David Fifita's return to Suncorp this week - he is second in the NRL leaderboard for tackle breaks (52) behind Panthers winger Brian To'o (55). Fifita is the only forward in that top 10 with everyone else a winger, centre or fullback.

 

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