Gold Coast put on 32-point second half to belt Manly 42-34 at Lottoland

TITANS two-try teenager AJ Brimson may have saved his side from the wooden spoon after a savage blast from coach Garth Brennan inspired a remarkable 42-34 comeback defeat of Manly on Friday night.

Konrad Hurrell of the Titans is tackled by Dylan Walker of the Sea Eagles during the Round 23 NRL match between the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and the Gold Coast Titans at Lottoland in Sydney, Friday, August 17, 2018. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

TITANS two-try teenager AJ Brimson may have saved his side from the wooden spoon after a savage blast from coach Garth Brennan inspired a remarkable 42-34 comeback defeat of Manly on Friday night.

For 40 minutes, Gold Coast’s defence resembled the Southport under-8s as Manly sensation Tom Trbojevic tore apart water-thin defence to propel the Sea Eagles to a 22-10 half-time lead at Brookvale.

But a furious dressing-room spray from Brennan, whose head turned as red as Shiraz as he hammered his troops, ignited an epic second-half revival in a freewheeling 13-try affair.

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AJ Brimson was brilliant for the Titans. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Trailing by 12, the Titans sensationally hit back with 30 unanswered points.

Not even a Trbojevic hat-trick could stem the Titans tidal wave. The visitors scored five tries in a stunning 20-minute blitz as Ash Taylor (43rd minute), Phillip Sami (46th), Mitch Rein (53rd), Jack Stockwell (58th) and Brimson (63rd) crossed to seal a gutsy triumph.

Manly started well but couldn’t maintain it. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.

The Titans (18 competition points) have now moved two wins clear of the last-placed Cowboys and look certain to avoid the spoon thanks to Brimson’s feet and Brennan’s mouth.

“That first half was unacceptable,” Brennan said, explaining his blast.

“Our attack was never a concern, it was our attitude in defence.

“I believe they are better than that, I know how hard they work, and that’s why I reacted like that.”

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With the Titans floundering, it was fitting that fullback Brimson, the young gun who represents their future, should step up to deliver hope.

The Sea Eagles were flying at 22-6 when the Queensland under-20s ace sliced through seconds before the break to whittle Manly’s half-time lead to two converted tries.

Brimson then delivered more magic after the break, pouncing on a loose ball in the 63rd minute and grubber kicking ahead to post his second try and bury the Sea Eagles.

The Titans looked done and dusted early. AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts.

Brennan’s withering words triggered action. In the first half, the Titans conceded 22 points. In the second, they conceded six - underlining that the Gold Coast’s biggest problem this season is not a lack of talent, but mental application.

Exhibit A are Titans halves Kane Elgey and Taylor. Both have underachieved this season, but with more focus and purpose in the second half, the pair came alive to ignite the Titans.

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The Coast face a daunting home clash next Saturday against Melbourne, who set defensive standards the Titans hope to emulate.

“We can’t keep dishing that up in the first half,” skipper Ryan James said. “We have enough strikepower to score tries but our defence must be better.”

GOLD COAST 42 (A Brimson 2 A Don M Rein P Sami J Stockwell A Taylor tries A Taylor 7 goals) bt MANLY 34 (T Trbojevic 3 J Trbojevic 2 J Thompson tries D Cherry-Evans 5 goals) at Lottoland. Referee: Gavin Reynolds, Chris Butler, Jon Stone. Crowd: 6,382