NRL 2024: Gold Coast Titans win 46-18 over Brisbane Broncos with stunning comeback
The Broncos’ season is all but over, with some key injuries rubbing salt in the wounds, after the Titans scored 36 unanswered points in a stunning comeback win.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Kevin Walters’ Broncos are set to crash out of the NRL premiership race after being stunned 46-18 by Des Hasler’s Titans in a remarkable M1 derby.
Brisbane’s season is all but over with the Broncos falling into the bottom four and requiring a miracle to have any chance of finishing in the top eight following a shocker before 25,278 at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday.
After eight losses from their past nine games that seems like next to no chance of happening for a team in free fall.
“The second half was ordinary. We didn’t stay in the fight which is disappointing,” Walters said,
“We didn’t compete hard enough. They did and got the result.
“I thought we played pretty well in the first half. I was quite comfortable at halftime.
“You’ve got to keep competing in the NRL and we didn’t.
“We’ve still got four games to go. There’s plenty to work on but I’m not going to wait until next year.”
Compounding Brisbane’s third straight loss to Gold Coast was potential season-ending injuries to star duo Payne Haas (foot) and Ezra Mam (ankle).
A Reece Walsh double helped the Broncos to an 18-10 lead at the break before the Titans scored 36 unanswered points in a second half blitz to keep their faint finals hopes alive.
“The (top) eight is the furthest thing from my mind at the moment,” Walters said.
“We’ve got more issues than making the eight. Not more issues, but it was disappointing, particularly the second 40.
“It’s too close to after the game to say (what’s gone wrong). We’ll have a look at it with the other coaches.
“It just wasn’t good enough today.
“We all believe in the group but it’s just not happening. As individuals we all need to have a look at ourselves, but there was enough talent to win today.”
BUSTED BRONCOS
While Brisbane’s season is alive, they could be without two of their key players for some time.
Haas lasted just 10 minutes before leaving the field with a foot injury and early indications suggested it was a lisfranc problem which could be season-ending if confirmed by scans.
Mam hobbled off shortly before halftime after Kini landed awkwardly on his ankle.
It doesn’t seem to matter who’s on the field for the Broncos though, they’ve got bigger problems than injuries.
SPECIAL K SIZZLES
Walsh produced some individual magic but it was Titans No. 1 Keano Kini that took the chocolates in the battle of the fullbacks as the Titans romped to their fifth win in six games.
The Titans youngster has been a revelation in the absence of AJ Brimson (groin) and tore the Broncos apart.
Even though he spent 10 minutes in the sin bin for a professional foul, Kini ran for 165m, scored two tries and created another two in a blistering effort.
“He’s going from strength to strength,” Titans captain Kieran Foran said.
“He gives us a lot of confidence and comes up with special plays.
“To produce that magic in the corner lifted the team.”
Gold Coast’s youthful back five scorched the Broncos, with Jojo Fifita bagging a hat-trick and Alofiana Khan-Pereira scoring his 20th try of the season to equal the Titans’ record with five games to go.
The win sees the Titans leapfrog the Broncos and they still have a slim chance of playing finals in Hasler’s first season.
While that seems unlikely, the Titans are finishing strong and can take the momentum in 2025.
“We’re in a position at this stage where we’re an outside chance (of playing finals),” Hasler said.
“We have to keep producing wins so it was satisfying.
“We stayed patient and stuck to the task right until the end. I’m particularly pleased with no points (conceded) in the second half.
“We remained focused and got the job done.
“The side has got a clear focus on where they want to go. They’ve overcome a fair bit of adversity this year and shown some growth to stay at the task.
“We are still in the fight but we’ve got a long way to go.
BRONCOS BURNING
Despite the Broncos crashing over the past three months, Walters has maintained faith that his star-studded team could turn things around.
It’s now time to accept reality – this is a team in serious trouble and the lowest ranked of Queensland’s four clubs.
For the second week in a row Brisbane’s season was on the line and they turned in a shocking effort.
Some individual brilliance from Walsh got Brisbane off to a fast start, but when the Titans turned the screws the Broncos had no answers.
The way Brisbane’s defence crumbled in the second half, conceding seven tries without scoring a point, raises serious questions about what is going on at Red Hill.
WALSH ROCKS AND DIAMONDS
Walsh looked like he had taken it upon himself to spark the Broncos and scored two sensational tries in the first half.
It was the type of instinctive brilliance we have only seen in glimpses this year from Walsh but highlighted how dangerous he can be.
However some of his choices in attack were questionable and a terrible kick gifted the Titans a seven-tackle set which led to Kini scoring his miraculous try.
Walsh was moved to five-eighth late in the game and engaged in an ugly verbal argument with winger Corey Oates which summed up Brisbane’s predicament.
More Coverage
Originally published as NRL 2024: Gold Coast Titans win 46-18 over Brisbane Broncos with stunning comeback
Stars snubbed in wild Kangaroos bombshell
Mal Meninga has dropped bombs on three of the biggest stars in the game as the Kangaroos coach announced his squad.
NRL fans crash Brockmann run, told off
After fans finished up at Accor Stadium, some ventured next door to pay Nedd Brockmann a visit, with one fan being told to quiet down.