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The Brisbane Broncos have held on despite a late Titans charge for an eight-point win over their South East Queensland rivals.
Brisbane drew first blood with James Roberts scoring against his old team after three minutes to go through the Titans’ line.
After end-to-end football, Ben Hunt went through the line to put the Broncos in front by ten points after 25 minutes.
Strong defensive efforts from both sides saw points scarce with the Titans getting on the board after 33 minutes after David Mead scored off an Ashley Taylor grubber with the former Bronco displaying a strong kicking game throughout the opening 40 minutes.
The Broncos went into half-time ahead by six points extending that lead after Jordan Kahu scored early in the second half.
Kodi Nikorima scored 15 minutes later with Brisbane going in front by three converted tries.
The Titans hit back with Zeb Taia scoring two tries in the space of four minutes as the Gold Coast looked to make a late comeback.
The Titans hunted for an extra try in the last ten minutes but were unable to score again with Jordan Kahu putting the result beyond doubt with a late penalty goal to give the Broncos a 24-16 win.
Corey Parker impressed in limited minutes while Matt Gillett was strong in an 80-minute performance while Ashley Taylor displayed a strong kicking game and drove the Titans with Ryan James and Agnatius Paasi both putting in good efforts up front.
The Titans will head down to Cronulla to take on the Sharks next Sunday while the Broncos will host the Dragons on Thursday night.
Final score
Gold Coast Titans 16
Brisbane Broncos 24
The Gold Coast Titans will be looking to prove themselves when they host premiership favourites the Brisbane Broncos at Cbus Super Stadium. Join The Roar from 8:05pm (AEDT) for live coverage.
The Titans are sitting equal first after being slated as preseason wooden-spoon favourites when Kane Elgey was sidelined for the year with an ACL injury.
Neil Henry’s side have shown their resilience to climb to a 3-1 win-loss record, with Ashley Taylor stepping up in his rookie season and leading the way.
Taylor could be made to do it on his own against the Broncos however, with halves partner Tyrone Roberts at long odds to return from a knee injury. Cameron Cullen is in line to make his first-grade debut against his junior club after being named as cover for Roberts on a six-man bench.
Gold Coast have dodged a bullet with Ryan James free to play after being found not guilty of dangerous contact on Jordan Rapan during the Titans’ brilliant 24-20 comeback win over the Raiders in the nation’s capital.
The Titans were fined $5000 for having a 14th player on the field during that match, after David Shillington was on the ground for five seconds following an interchange hiccup.
The Broncos are coming off an extra-time win over the North Queensland Cowboys, with Anthony Milford kicking a field goal to seal a 21-20 win in front of over 45,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium.
Brisbane will be strengthened by the return of Corey Oates, who injured his shoulder against the Warriors, while Jack Reed also returns.
Since the Titans joined the NRL in 2007, they have played the Broncos 19 times, with Brisbane winning 14.
The Broncos won both fixtures in 2015, with a 26-16 victory in Round 5 before shutting out the Titans 34-0 in Round 20.
Prediction
Brisbane will get a win and solidify their position as the NRL’s team to beat.
Broncos by 12.
Join The Roar from 8:05pm (AEDT) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
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