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Representative jerseys and local bragging rights go on the line tonight when the Gold Coast Titans travel north to take on the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.30pm AEST.
It’s second versus second-last but ladder position goes out the window for the south Queensland derby, particularly tonight with State of Origin on the horizon and at least a dozen players under the eye of selectors.
In what shapes as a fearsome battle for the ruck Greg Bird and Luke Douglas will have the attention of New South Wales coach Ricky Stuart as they clash head-on with Maroons blue-chippers Ben Hannant, Sam Thaiday and Petero Civoniceva.
The star-studded Broncos cruise into the match on a five-match winning streak which has them chasing the Strom at the top of the ladder, while baby brother sits second-last, buoyed only by a last-start upset win over Manly at Brookvale.
Looking like thoroughbreds, the Broncos have firmed into second favourite for the 2012 premiership after starting the season 6-1, but have beaten only one genuine contender in St George-Illawarra.
The Titans (2-5) are for from a genuine contender at this stage of the season but can lay some claim to a return to form after drafting in genuine five-eighth Aiden Sezer and taking down the Sea Eagles 26-14 at their last start.
Brisbane have maintained the upper-hand over the Titans ever since baby brother caused a boil-over in their maiden clash at Suncorp in 2007. The Broncos are five-from-five when hosting the Titans since, and lead the overall match-up 8-3.
The Titans haven’t won the derby since round 20, 2009.
Broncos general Peter Wallace returns from a groin injury to further claims for his first sky-blue jersey since 2009, while Titan Jamal Idris is expected to be fit for an NRL center’s biggest challenge – Justin Hodges.
Prediction
The Titans’ big boys need to take a stand in the middle of the park in order to get Sezer and Scott Prince in a position where they can unleash their speed merchant wingers.
Luke Bailey, Nate Myles, Douglas and Bird are more than capable of matching it with Brisbane’s engine but with the interchange playing a crucial part in matches forward packs need to be nine-deep.
When the initial sting goes out of the contest Brisbane will call on young bucks Matt Gillett and Josh McGuire to sustain the assault; both men have Maroon on their mind – you can see it in every run.
Meanwhile, The Titans bench looks less imposing with the likes of Michael Henderson, Mark Minichiello and Matthew White as back-up.
Also, the suspension of Ashley Harrison robs the Titans of the glue that holds their pack together, leaving cracks for Brisbane to expose towards the end of each half. Hooker Andrew McCullough and fullback Josh Hoffman will be licking their lips.
The Gold Coast has the personnel to cause an upset tonight, but against an on-fire Hoffman, Hodges, Corey Norman, Thaiday, Gillett and Hannant, will need 17 players at 100 percent for 80 minutes just to stand a chance.
Broncos by 8.
Will the stampeding Broncos make it six in a row? Or will the Titans put wins back-to-back for the first time in 2012? Join us to follow the south Queensland derby from 7.30pm AEST. Follow the play and add your thoughts below.
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