Halfback Albert Kelly was the chief beneficiary as Gold Coast’s plan worked to perfection in their stirring 24-12 NRL away win over Canberra on Sunday.
Widely lambasted for their porous defence in a 42-12 home loss to Wests Tigers last week, the Titans looked a totally different and much more determined side at GIO Stadium.
They virtually tackled themselves to a standstill as they clung onto a 14-12 lead late in the second half.
With the clock showing less than five minutes left, Kelly displayed great opportunism to clinch the game for his tiring side.
Two late breakaway tries to the nippy halfback broke the Raiders hearts and rewarded the Titans for their stout defensive endeavours.
“That was the plan to defend well and hopefully make them make a mistake before us and we capitalised on it,” Kelly told AAP.
“The ball bounced into my hands and I finished it off.”
His brace of tries swelled his tally for the season to four in three games. “Last year was a pretty good start (for me), I was hungry and this year I am even hungrier to start better,” Kelly said.
“It’s just working on the finer points of my individual game, defence and attack, both sides.
“I’m learning every day.”
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