Five things we learned from Brisbane’s win over Gold Coast

Anthony Seibold’s gamble to shake up his spine is paying off, while Tevita Pangai Jnr could miss next week’s blockbuster clash with Melbourne. What we learned from Brisbane’s win over the Titans.

Anthony Milford was exceptional for the home side. Picture: Dave Hunt

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Anthony Milford begins to find his feet at fullback, and Tevita Pangai Jnr could miss next week’s blockbuster clash with Melbourne.

Here’s the five things we learned from Brisbane’s win over the Titans.

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Anthony Milford was exceptional for the home side. Picture: Dave Hunt

1. The Anthony Milford-Darius Boyd positional switch is paying dividends. It was a big gamble by coach Anthony Seibold but Boyd’s form has improved at five-eighth and Milford is looking ominous in the backfield.

Milford toyed with the Titans, charging for 158 metres, making five tackle busts and capping a fine game with a 56th minute, 40-metre solo try which put the Coast to bed.

2. Broncos forward Tevita Pangai Jr could be in hot water with the NRL match-review committee. Pangai Jr was placed on report in the 27th minute for a stinging shot on Titans winger Phillip Sami which left him seeing stars. Pangai Jr has carryover points from a suspension in round four and could miss Friday night’s Suncorp blockbuster against Melbourne.

3. The Broncos are back in the top eight for the first time since March but the true test of the premiership mettle will come against the Storm.

Brisbane’s recent wins have been against bottom-ranked teams. The Storm will be a true barometer of whether Brisbane can be a finals dark horse.

Kotoni Staggs has become Brisbane’s strike centre. Picture: Dave Hunt

4. Brisbane have found some weapons on both edges. David Fifita destroyed the Titans with his power running on the left side and on the right, Kotoni Staggs was magnificent.

For the second consecutive week Staggs bagged a double and is now one of the most dangerous centres in the NRL.

5. Gold Coast’s defence is disgraceful. For two years their structures have been appalling and Titans players should be embarrassed for missing 20 tackles in the opening 30 minutes last night. It’s not good enough. If defence is attitude, Gold Coast’s mentality is soft.

Originally published as Five things we learned from Brisbane’s win over Gold Coast