History made as Gold Coast beat Melbourne 38-36 in match of the season

THE Titans have won an absolute ripper of a game against Melbourne with a late try securing a 38-36 victory at Suncorp Stadium.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA — MAY 13: Konrad Hurrell of the Titans is congratulated by team mates after scoring a try during the round 10 NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the Gold Coast Titans at Suncorp Stadium on May 13, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

QUEENSLAND’S big three fired and Jarryd Hayne limped off the field as the Gold Coast Titans produced a thrilling upset to shock Melbourne 38-36 in a Suncorp Stadium epic.

Konrad Hurrell became a Gold Coast hero in a night of drama which had major ramifications for the upcoming State of Origin series.

But the night belonged to the Titans, who notched their first win at Suncorp Stadium since 2012 against the competition leaders to keep their season alive.

With just one fit player left on the bench, the Titans looked gone when trailing 36-28 with six minutes to go after Melbourne posted three quick tries.

But winger Anthony Don produced a miracle play for Hurrell to score, giving the Gold Coast their third straight win and one of the best in the club’s 11-season NRL history.

The Titans recorded one of the best wins in their history.

“It was a real rollercoaster for both teams,” Titans coach Neil Henry said.

“The boys just hung in and found a way to get that result in the back end of the game.

“It’s a great win. It was badly needed.

“We’ve lost some tight ones this year. To the boys’ credit they found a way to win tonight and against a quality team.

“It proves we can compete.”

Earlier it looked like Melbourne would be cruising to a comprehensive victory after the Storm bolted out to an 18-6 lead and you could not wipe the smile off Maroons coach Kevin Walters’ face when Queensland trio Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater combined in stunning fashion.

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Melbourne’s maestros were scintillating in the 74-point epic, but Blues coach Laurie Daley will be sweating over the availability of Hayne with Game One of the series on May 31 looming.

Hayne limped from the field with 13 minutes to go after suffering a nerve problem in his left knee which Henry said was unlikely to be serious.

Melbourne had little possession inside Titans territory early but Smith, Cronk and Slater fired when it mattered to give the Storm an early lead.

Don scored a try and set up another.

The Titans hit back with quick tries to Leivaha Pulu and Don before Hurrell and Chris McQueen scored to give the Gold Coast a 28-18 lead.

Melbourne produced three tries in six minutes through Will Chambers, Joe Stimson and Cheyse Blair and the Storm would usually cruise to victory from that position, however the Titans rallied through Tyrone Roberts and Hurrell to pinch an unlikely win.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy lashed his side’s defensive performance and said heads could roll.

“We pride ourselves on defence and I can’t remember a poorer defensive effort than what we put up tonight since I’ve been here,” he said.

“It’s a real worry for me to be quite honest.

“It’s attitude obviously. We had some lazy players.

“We had some individuals who were right off. I was particularly disappointed in a few of our individuals’ performances.”

Titans Ryan Simpkins (knee) and Dan Sarginson (shoulder) will be sidelined for an extended period alongside suspended forward Kevin Proctor.

Originally published as History made as Gold Coast beat Melbourne 38-36 in match of the season