Titans’ $3.5m star David Fifita brutalises Broncos

The Gold Coast Titans have well and truly won the David Fifita deal as the big name star embarrassed his former side as they fell to a new low.

David Fifita scored a double against the Broncos.

The Gold Coast Titans have won big over the Brisbane Broncos with the 28-16 victory the perfect way for David Fifita to put his old club behind him.

Fifita crossed the line twice before he was given a head injury assessment that essentially ended his night after 62 minutes.

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Fifita made 136m from 12 runs but it appeared to send the Broncos back to 2020, particularly with a six minute period just before halftime

It handed the Titans a third straight win against the Broncos and gave Brisbane a 13th straight loss as the all-time losing streak stretched into another week. The previous worst losing streak was eight games, which has happened twice — in 2003 and 2006.

The first 30 minutes of the game was tight but the final eight minutes of the first half saw the floodgates open as the Broncos of old re-emerged.

While the reigning wooden spooners put in an excellent performance against the Parramatta Eels last week before fading under the weight of defence, there was no such reason against the Titans.

After the younger brother pulled the rug out from under Brisbane by nabbing David Fifita on a $3.5m three-year deal, the giant forward added the first knife wound, scoring in the 33rd minute.

David Fifita blew his former club apart.

Fifita spun out of a tackle with Fox League’s Michael Ennis said “It was far too easy for David Fifita”.

Great stuff Fifita, so sweet @GCTitans 👍👍

— Jim Wilson (@JimWilsonMedia) March 19, 2021

The subtle footwork of Fifita at the line there was sublime. 112 kilos and can fake an out run, spin, and push off for a try.

— Chris Garry (@ChrisGarry7) March 19, 2021

Fifita is unstoppable near the line one on one. @MasonsTake#NRLTitansBroncos

— Willie Mason WMM 💯🇦🇺🇹🇴 (@mase21) March 19, 2021

It was followed by Erin Clark and Jaimin Jolliffe in subsequent sets just before the break as the side claimed three tries to open up blow open a 6-4 lead after 32 minutes to a 22-4 lead after 39 minutes.

Clark’s try had some worrying signs from with Anthony Don putting in a left foot kick with no Broncos in the frame.

“No longer the little brother, big brother is under the blowtorch, and the Brisbane Broncos in back to back sets are looking in the rearview mirror and are suddenly in deep, deep trouble,” Ennis said.

He added that the Broncos’ lack of defensive resolve from the 2020 season was exposed.

“There should have been Broncos in the picture, they should have been more desperate than that,” Ennis added.

When Jolliffe scored, the score was getting away from the Broncos as Kevin Walters’ dream job was turning into a nightmare.

At the break, Greg Alexander said the Broncos had “fallen away dramatically”.

Braith Anasta was equally frustrated for the Brisbane side.

“It was a huge concern for the Broncos is the way they just capitulated. It’s not good,” he said.

It’s the look of ‘not again’.

Cooper Cronk said the scoreline showed the Broncos were struggling.

“It was the Broncos of old,” he said. “They put on a good 20 minute performance and the Broncos came on in the last eight minutes and scored three tries. It’s just too easy for the Titans. The Titans are just steamrolling through the middle third.

He added that Walters needed “one of the best halftime talks of all-time to get them out of this hole”.

Unfortunately for the Broncos, while it was one try apiece in the second half, the damage had already been done.

Although when Fifita crossed for a second try, it was the dream return against his former club.

“This is a sweet night for the former Bronco,” Ginnane said.

After the match, Walters was asked about Fifita’s performance and replied: “Was he out there tonight? I didn’t notice he played.”

Although the Broncos scored two tries to make it a more respectable scoreline, social media didn’t like what they saw from the Broncos.

Dear me I was really was hoping @brisbanebroncos could improve but this display is pretty ordinary #NRL#NRLTitansBroncos

— Bernie Coen (@berniecoen) March 19, 2021

Great recruitment and retention program @brisbanebroncos . What a disaster. #NRL

— Anthony Hayes (@theanthonyhayes) March 19, 2021

Brisbane defended stoutly in opening 20 minutes but once the Titans found their groove the Broncos had no answer there. Long second half ahead for the visitors you fear. #NRLTitansBroncos

— Ed Jackson (@edjacko) March 19, 2021

Early ball to a running Fifita is dangerous against the best defence let alone how bad the broncos are atm. Unstoppable. Great attack disgraceful defence @MasonsTake#BGRM

— Willie Mason WMM 💯🇦🇺🇹🇴 (@mase21) March 19, 2021

No offence to Jaimin Jolliffe, but he should not be scoring tries like that. No right. That’s really alarming for the Broncos. Shades of last year when their middle was like butter sometimes #NRLTitansBroncos

— Steve Zemek (@stevezemek) March 19, 2021

Originally published as Titans’ $3.5m star David Fifita brutalises Broncos