Brisbane Broncos in talks with Gold Coast Titans’ David Mead

THE Broncos have set the scene for an explosive sudden-death Queensland derby by attempting to poach Titans flyer David Mead.

THE Broncos have set the scene for an explosive sudden-death Queensland derby by attempting to poach Titans flyer David Mead.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the Broncos are in secret talks with Mead, who is primed to send Brisbane crashing out of the title race on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.

The Broncos are on the hunt for backline talent following centre Jack Reed’s retirement and Mead — once rated a young Steve Renouf — heads their hit list.

Now off-contract, Mead has entered negotiations with the Titans’ playoff rivals and the Broncos hope to clinch his signature after this week’s knockout clash.

But the Broncos face a battle to snare Mead, with NRL rivals Canterbury, Souths and Manly, and rugby’s Western Force also targeting the Titans’ utility back.

Mead looks to be a victim of Jarryd Hayne’s arrival.

Mead’s future at the Titans appears grim, with the PNG international facing a major downgrade on his present $350,000 deal following the signing of Jarryd Hayne.

Titans football operations chief Tony Mestrov said Mead remains a free agent, opening the door for Queensland foes the Broncos.

“I’m not surprised other clubs are interested because David is a quality player and person,” Mestrov said.

“The roster is an ever-moving piece and at the moment, no formal offer has been made to David (from the Titans).

“We’ve indicated to David’s management that our focus is on the finals, but we’re not saying we don’t want him.

“(Titans coach) Neil Henry has been honest with David and the way he has handled the signing of Jarryd Hayne has been first-class.

“Like every other club, we have salary-cap considerations and you can only do what money allows you to do. It’s never an easy process but hopefully David sees a future here.”

Canterbury have tabled Mead a superior offer to that of the Broncos, with the Bulldogs viewing the 27-year-old as a replacement for Western Force-bound Curtis Rona.

But Brisbane offer several attractions. It would keep Mead in Queensland and he would be mentored by Wayne Bennett.

The speedster is capable of playing wing or centre and could be a handy back-up option at fullback for Maroons ace Darius Boyd.

Titans foundation football manager Scott Sattler, who helped sign Mead to the Gold Coast, said the Lismore product would be a success at the Broncos.

Mead is also a target for the Bulldogs.

“When I first saw him, he reminded me of a young Steve Renouf,” Sattler said.

“David would be a great signing for any club. He is a superb athlete and he’s had a turbulent time at the Titans, a change of scenery at the Broncos could be the best thing for him.”

Mead, who has been cleared of facial damage, is a survivor of the Titans team beaten 40-32 by Brisbane in the 2009 finals series.

“I’ll treat it like any other game,” he said.

“It’s a do-or-die one. It feels like it was only a few years ago (the last Brisbane-Titans finals game) ... time has flown.

“These opportunities don’t come around very often, so we want to give it everything and play good football.”