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The ladder leading Brisbane Broncos will take on the lowly Gold Coast Titans at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary of all the action from 7:20pm (AEST).
In what appears to be a mismatch at first between the ladder leading Brisbane Broncos and the second-last placed Gold Coast Titans may not play out as lopsided as many expect.
The Broncos are in decade best form winning seven in a row and losing only three times all year (against Souths, Dragons and the Cowboys) while the Titans are laying miserably on the bottom of the ladder losing four in a row – their last win coming against the Bulldogs in Round 14.
Jack Reed being suspended for a high tackle means Jordan Kahu comes into the centres with Corey Oates shifting to the wing and Dale Copley coming onto the bench. Holden Cup dynamite Kodi Nikorima also comes onto the bench for Matt Parcell.
The Titans welcome back Aiden Sezer at five-eighth from a hamstring injury with Daniel Mortimer shifting to the bench and Chad Redman dropping out of the 17. Kevin Gordon replaces Anthony Don on the wing with David Taylor and David Hala being replaced by Lachlan Burr and Matt White.
The last time these two teams faced off in Round 5 Sam Thaiday was starting on the bench and the Gold Coast were coming off a last minute win against the Sharks. In that game, the Titans had a mountain of possession in the first twenty minutes but simply could not convert that into points.
Simple errors from the Titans cost them dearly (14-9) as Brisbane went on to score three tries in fifteen minutes to lead at halftime, before carrying on with more of the same in the second half. It was clear on the night that the speed of Milford and the power of Thaiday, coupled with the defensive composure of the Broncos, was too much for the Titans.
Three out of the four tries Brisbane laid on the Titans back in Round 5 were through the middle of the park. We can be sure Anthony Milford will again be out to exploit the big forward pack of the Titans who will be fatigued.
Aiden Sezar coming back into the halves will bring composure and accuracy to a volatile and mistake ridden Titans side. His impact on last tackle options cannot be underestimated. He will be the dominant half with Kane Elgey being able to assert himself when necessary, giving the Titans the polish to their sets they have been lacking.
Along with his halves partner, Ben Hunt will be instrumental in the result tonight.
The Titans love using their left side in attack with Ryan James popping onto short balls setting up a mismatch in defence for the halfback. They also like using him under the high ball due to his height. As a result, Hunt will need to be at his defensive best if he is to stop those forwards from targeting him and creating three on two overlaps, exposing the speed of the Titans’ outside backs, where there could potentially be some magic woven tonight. Hunt’s composure finishing of sets and emerging running game will also be vital in beating the Titans.
Prediction
Defence, Defence, Defence! The Titans have leaked on average 31 points in their last four matches and if they concede that again will have no chance of winning this game.
The Titans will need to be patient and play really boring footy by not giving the Broncos any possession or field advantage, similar to what they did in the first twenty minutes in their last encounter – but this time for the entire game.
When the Broncos have the lead at halftime this season (10) they have won all 10 times. Also, the Broncos have won the first twenty-minute period 11 times this season (11-2-4) losing it only twice. It is clear that if the Titans can stop the early onslaught from the Broncos and convert their possession into points, it will go a long way to winning the un-winnable.
However, the Broncos are one of the most complete teams in the competition with the right amount of speed, power and finesse. Rain is also expected in Brisbane on Friday night, playing into the Broncos hands who are fourth (9.2) in errors compared to the Titans who are fifteenth (12). As a result, expect a low scoring affair with the Brisbane side having too much composure in attack making it eight on the trot.
Brisbane by 8.
Can the Gold Coast Titans do the unthinkable and beat the Broncos on their own turf? Or will this game be much of the same with the Brisbane side solidifying their top spot on the ladder by making easy work of the Titans?
Join The Roar at 7:20pm (AEST) for live scores updates and debate in our live blog.
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