Gold Coast have given their home fans something to cheer about in the penultimate round of the season with a gallant 36-26 win over the Knights at Cbus Super Stadium.
The Titans ran in five tries in the opening half for 24-10 lead and appeared set to run away with the result before Brian Kelly was sent off for a dangerous throw on Knights winger Dom Young in the 51st minute.
However, the home side repelled Newcastle's attack in the final quarter of the game to maintain their comfortable lead with AJ Brimson outstanding in the victory.
The result means the Titans have all but avoided finishing last on the Telstra Premiership ladder with one game of the regular season remaining.
Kelly sent off
Earlier, Newcastle opened the scoring with departing winger Edrick Lee out-leaping Corey Thompson to the line.
The Titans struck back twice to hit the lead through tries to Greg Marzhew and David Fifita before Marzhew had a double in the 32nd minute.
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A try to former Knight Beau Fermor extended the lead until a crash over try to Daniel Saifiti reduced the deficit momentarily.
Brimson's two tries in 10 minutes pushed the Titans' lead out to 22 before the Knights struck back with Dane Gagai grabbing a double of his own but it was too little, too late.
Marzhew gets two
Match snapshot
- The Titans recorded back-to-back victories at Cbus Super Stadium for the first time since March.
- The Titans have now won their past seven matches against the Knights at Cbus Super Stadium.
- Knights winger Edrick Lee crossed for the 14th try of his season to continue his try-scoring efforts this year.
- Knights forward Sauaso Sue failed a HIA in the first half and did not return.
- Titans forward Klese Haas, the brother of Broncos prop Payne Haas, made his NRL debut, coming onto the field for David Fifita in the second half.
- Newcastle led the line breaks 8-6 but came up with 10 errors in defeat.
- Titans captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui was enormous in victory, churning out 251 metres from 24 carries in the win.
Play of the game
AJ Brimson loves playing the Knights with his second half double setting up a much-needed win for the home side. Brimson was in everything throughout the match and along with Jayden Campbell was among the best on field.
A.J. all the way
What they said
"I couldn't be prouder of us, we all know the season we've had but to do that at the back end of the year. To be down to 12 and defend like that for 30 minutes, I'm really happy. We're getting a balance right of defending well and then letting our attacking players come to fruition." - Titans coach Justin Holbrook.
"Much like our season and pre-season we were inconsistent. Parts of it we were happy with, we put up some fight towards the end but other parts were really disappointing, particularly our defence in the first half. They had a fair challenge in the second half down to 12, whether that masked some of the stuff we may have fixed I'm not too sure. There's stuff there we'll have to have a look at over the summer." - Knights coach Adam O'Brien.
NRL Press Conference: Titans v Knights - Round 24, 2022
What's next
The Titans will finish their season with a trip to Auckland to take on the Warriors.
The Knights return home for their annual Old Boys day faced with a tough assignment against the Sharks, who will be aiming to wrap up second spot on the Telstra Premiership ladder.