Ash Taylor leads the way in Gold Coast’s 30-12 win over Brisbane
Ash Taylor’s career was on the brink this time last year. But in Gold Coast’s remarkable win over the Broncos, the Titans halfback looked like a million-dollar man.
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Ash Taylor burst back to life as the Gold Coast Titans heaped more misery on the under-fire Broncos in a record win at Suncorp Stadium.
Taylor found a shot of confidence with a 14–point haul to guide the Titans off the bottom of the NRL ladder in a 30-12 victory for the Gold Coast.
After spending the first decade of their existence in the NRL as Brisbane’s little brother, the Titans have now won their past three matches at Suncorp Stadium against the Broncos.
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And few games between the south east Queensland rivals have been sweeter than this for the Titans, with the Gold Coast racking up their biggest ever win against Brisbane.
Often maligned halfback Taylor was sensational in a Titans team that proved effort can take you further than talent.
“I really liked the way we went about everything,” said Titans coach Justin Holbrook.
“We asked some questions with the footy and defended great. I was really impressed.
“I’ve been confident every week. I feel like we prepare to perform at our best. I knew we had to play well.
“The effort from the whole side was what we needed and what we got. We got it right tonight.”
They shocked the bumbling Broncos to lead 22-0 at halftime, prompting furious Brisbane fans in the 6262 crowd to boo their team off the paddock at the break.
At halftime the gulf in statistics was incredible.
The Titans had the bulk of possession (58 per cent) and capitalised on it with an 83 per cent completion rate compared to Brisbane’s 53 per cent.
The Gold Coast charged for 836m compared to Brisbane’s 514m and were led sensationally by young prop Moeaki Fotuaika and lock Jai Arrow.
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What cannot be measured on paper is effort, enthusiasm and desire, and that is exactly what the Titans produced in droves.
They ran faster, tackled harder and didn’t stop trying to make a difference for the entire opening 40 minutes and were rewarded with a healthy halftime lead.
The Titans’ effort was excellent from the onset, fullback Corey Thompson stopping Herbie Farnworth from scoring a certain try before the Gold Coast bundled Corey Oates into touch.
The Oates play proved pivotal when Taylor barged over from close range to stun the Broncos and it was 10-0 after 20 minutes when The Bunker controversially awarded Anthony Don a four-pointer.
When Sam Lisone burrowed over the Titans were up 16-0 and not even the controversial sin-binning of Fotuaika late in the first half could stop their momentum as Don plucked an intercept to open up a 22-0 lead at the break.
The Broncos hit back in the second half with tries to Ben Te’o and Farnworth but two penalty goals to Taylor and a late try to winger Phillip Sami sealed the victory.
FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED
by Peter Badel
1. Broncos halfback Brodie Croft has to be dropped. The Storm recruit started the season well but he has been poor in the past five weeks. Brisbane were mounting a comeback when Croft’s kick out on the full in the second half broke their momentum. The Broncos look rudderless. If he can’t handle the pressure moments, he should be axed in favour of Tom Dearden.
2. The Broncos board have to consider sacking Anthony Seibold. Brisbane have now lost five straight and if the Bulldogs beat the Tigers today, the Broncos will be last on percentages. Brisbane’s players have no confidence, no self-belief and no desire. If the Broncos miss the finals, which appears certain, Seibold can’t survive, regardless of his much-touted five-year contract.
3. Ash Taylor produced his best game for the Titans in two years. Mentally broken, Taylor almost quit the NRL last year but the Titans playmaker recaptured his mojo against his former Broncos club. Taylor opened the scoring with a solo try and had the ball on a string with his kicking game. Taylor clearly outpointed Broncos rival Anthony Milford.
4. How the Titans lost Jai Arrow to South Sydney next year is beyond belief. The Queensland Origin workhorse is the heart and soul of the Titans’ pack and he personified their spirit last night with a willing display. Arrow repeatedly charged into his former teammates and relished the dirty work in midfield.
5. Broncos rookie Tesi Niu had a mixed night in his starting debut at fullback. The 18-year-old showed some nice footwork at times but he made three errors, including an intercept pass for Anthony Don’s try which gave the Titans a 22-0 lead at halftime.